152 SANDPIPERS AND PURRES. 



by shades so slight and variable, that it is almost 

 impossible to trace any positive line of distinction. 

 They comprise, under the scientific names of Tringa, 

 Gharadrius, Numenius, and Scolopax, the tribes of 

 birds known under the more familiar appellations 

 of Sandpipers, Purres, Plovers, Phalaropes, Curlews, 

 Woodcocks, &c. 



Amongst the Sandpipers and Purres, we find 

 those busy, active flocks of little birds, which so 

 often enliven a sauntering walk along the rocks and 

 shores of the ever ebbing and flowing sea. There 

 they may be seen, now running incessantly with a 

 light tripping motion, up and down, and here and 

 there, in search of shrimps, sea-worms, or small 

 shell-fish, and then, particularly if approached too 

 near, taking flight at the same instant, with a whir- 

 ring, whizzing sound, and a loudish whistling cry, 

 reminding us, by their sudden changes in flight, and 

 shades of colour, of our friends the Starlings ; at one 

 moment, appearing as a little dark cloud, if their 

 backs are presented, and then, in an instant, almost 

 dazzling the eye with the bright white of their under 

 delicate plumage, occasioned by an instantaneous 

 turn of their bodies ; and, then again, seeming almost 

 to disappear, as they dart along with their wings 

 edgeways towards the eye. It is impossible to watch 

 a flight of these merry, sociable little birds, without 

 pronouncing them to be a happy race, with all the 

 enjoyments, and few of the cares of life. The skulk- 

 ing, solitary gunner, who prowls about the shore, 

 appears to be their only enemy; and, conscious of 

 their power of keeping aloof, they seem to treat him 

 "with indifference. 



