TRINGA ALPINA. 281 



white. When flying they are easily distinguished by the white 

 rump, which is then very conspicuous. They are in good red or 

 breeding-plumage by the 26th of April ; that is to say, the male 

 birds are ; but the females are slower in assuming this dress, and 

 probably never become as bright as their mates. About Gibraltar 

 this Sandpiper and others bear the trivial name " pitillo." Lord 

 Lilford informs me that he met with the present species at the 

 same place and time as the Knots, and in equal numbers. 

 Curiously, during that spring, Curlew Sandpipers were unusually 

 abundant near Gibraltar, but not a single Knot did I obtain or 

 see. There is, however, not very much ground suitable for the 

 various species of Tringa in the vicinity of the Kock. 



Bill curved downwards ; rump white. 



In spring. General colour dark reddish chestnut, marked above with 

 blackish. 



In autumn. General colour grey above; below white. Length 7 inches. 



306. Tringa canutus, Linnaeus. The Knot. 



Favier merely remarks of this species that they " pass near 

 Tangier in June." If such be the case, it must be very early in 

 that month. The Knot is somewhat irregular in appearance 

 about the vicinity of Gibraltar ; and I have rarely met wdth any, 

 and the few seen have only occurred in April and May. Lord 

 Lilford, however, found them in countless numbers about the 

 10th of May near the edge of the Goto de Donana. They were 

 at that time in their fine red or summer plumage, and doubtless 

 en route to their breeding-grounds in the extreme north. 



Bill black, quite straight, longer than head. 



Plumage changes much as in last, but the red is not so dark ; rump and 

 upper tail-coverts whitish, barred with blackish ; legs and feet black. 

 Length 10 inches. 



Young. Feathers on back bordered with dark bars, tipped with buffy 

 white ; below tinged with buff; legs and feet yellowish green. 



307. Tringa alpina, Linnaeus. The Dunlin. 



Favier remarks that the Dunlin " passes to Europe from the 



