44 



HISTORY OF 



TEMMINCK'S SANDPIPER, 



Tringa Temminckii. LEISLER. 



GREAT difference of opinion has existed with regard to 

 this Tringa; and, indeed, through the whole of the genus, 

 perhaps, there has been more .mistakes in distinguishing species 

 than in any other. But this must always be the case, where 

 a class of birds are nearly allied, and there is so perfect a change 

 of plumage as in the genus before us. 



Temminck's Tringa has been confounded with Tringa Pusilla, 

 Linn. ; and, indeed, some authors of well-known discrimination, 

 at present think, that there is not sufficient distinction between 

 them to allow of their separation with propriety. But, for our 

 own parts, we agree with Mr. Selby, who has investigated the 

 synonyms most ably, in thinking them distinct. 



Dr. Fleming considers the bird before us to be synonymous 

 with the Tringa Pusilla, of Linnaeus. The Little Sandpiper 

 described in the appendix to Montagu, (but not the Little Sand- 



