A HISTORY OF KENT 



out of a flock of dunlin along the sea shore 

 between Lydd and Rye Harbour on 2 August 

 1898. It is the property of Mr. Whiteman, 

 of Rye, who kindly showed me the bird. 

 This instance has been recorded by Mr. N. 

 F. Ticehurst (ZW. 1898, p. 480). 



213. Dunlin. Tringa alpina, Linn. 

 Locally, Ox-bird. 



Common, its numbers being augmented 

 by large flocks or ' flings ' in autumn and 

 spring, especially in the former season. 

 There are two races of dunlin, a small and a 

 large one, the latter being the North Ameri- 

 can form. The plumage of the small race 

 is altogether darker, while the markings on 

 breast and flanks are brighter and more con- 

 densed. I have observed that this small race 

 is much later than the majority of dunlins in 

 arriving on the coast during autumn, and 

 fonder of obtaining food near brackish water 

 and on oozy flats than on the shore line. The 

 following are the measurements of the two 

 forms which I have obtained on the south 

 coast : Length 875 in., culmen 1-45 in., 

 wing 4'5 in., weight 2 oz. (large race) ; 

 length 7 in., culmen I'l in., wing 4-4 in. 

 weight i\ oz. (small race). Very few adult 

 birds remain with us through the entire sum- 

 mer, although I have observed them in sum- 

 mer plumage on the south coast as late as 

 3 June. A certain number of immature 

 birds with a strong rufous tinge in their 

 plumage remain with us throughout the year. 

 This plumage is that of the second year, be- 

 fore the black breast is assumed. 



214. Little Stint. Tringa minuta,L,eis\er . 

 By no means common. Occasionally met 



with in autumn in September and October, 

 but rare on the passage northward in spring. 

 I have a pair in perfect summer plumage shot 

 near Rye Harbour in April 1890. Several 

 have been obtained on the Medway in Sep- 

 tember (Prentis). It often consorts with the 

 dunlin. 



215. Temminck's Stint. Tringa temmindi, 



Leisler. 

 An irregular autumn and spring migrant, 

 occurring much less frequently than the last 

 named species. It has been obtained at Deal 

 6 September 1850 {Zool. 1850, p. 2923), at 

 Rainham and Isle of Sheppey (Prentis), and 

 near Lydd, where I obtained a specimen in 

 August 1899. I have no record during 

 spring for Kent, although I have an adult 

 female, shot on the Pevensey levels near Rye 

 on 9 May 1896 {Zoo/. 1896, p. 247). 



216. Curlew-Sandpiper. Tringa subarquata 



(Guldenstadt) 

 A scarce migrant in spring and autumn, 

 some years more plentiful than in others. I 

 have found single individuals after the equi- 

 noctial gales in September on the south coast. 

 Adult birds in breeding dress are rare. I have 

 a specimen obtained near Rye in perfect 

 summer plumage, and another in a transitional 

 state. On the north coast it is seen at the 

 beginning of September along the creeks of 

 the Medway. 



217. Purple Sandpiper. Tringa striata, Linn. 

 Scarce. I have never met with it on the 



Lydd coast, though I have obtained it on the 

 rocky portions of the shore line between Rye 

 and St. Leonards. We have no rocky shore 

 suitable to this species. In severe winters it 

 has been obtained about the marsh walls near 

 Rainham (Prentis). 



218. Knot. Tringa can!<tus, Liinn. 



Small parties of immature birds arrive in 

 August, the adults coming in October, visit- 

 ing our mud-flats and estuaries, where during 

 winter considerable flocks may be seen. I 

 have observed single individuals on the Lydd 

 beach as late as 13 June. 



219. Sanderling. Calidris arenaria (Linn.) 

 During August the sanderling, next to the 



dunlin, is the most numerous shore-bird on the 

 sandy portions of our coast. By the end of 

 September the migration southward has been 

 resumed. A few remain during the winter 

 and I have obtained specimens in November. 

 This species on the spring migration is much 

 less common. During my stay near Rye in 

 1896 the first flock in summer dress appeared 

 on 29 May, the last being seen on 2 June. 



220. RuflF. Machetes pugnax (Linn.) 

 Formerly a resident, now only an irregular 



migrant in autumn, when small parties, 

 generally immature birds, pass us during 

 August on their way south. There are two 

 fine adult males and a female in breeding 

 plumage in the Plomley collection, Dover 

 Museum, obtained many years ago from Lydd. 

 There is not a doubt that in the 'forties ' this 

 species bred in Romney Marsh, but now the 

 course of drainage and its attendant results 

 have banished it. 



221. Common Sandpiper. Totanus hypoleucus 



(Linn.) 

 Locally, Summer Snipe. 

 A migrant in spring and autumn, more 

 numerous during the latter season. In April 



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