Dunlin. 437 



dresses. In England it is often called the 'Plover Knot/ on 

 account of its general resemblance to Plovers ; in France it is 

 B&asseau Canut or Maubbche ; in Germany, Aschgraue Strand- 

 iailfer ; and in Italy Chiurlo. Considering the high favour in 

 which all birds of the Snipe family are deservedly held for the 

 table, and the method of dressing these birds as practised ( in 

 England, though repudiated abroad ; considering also the positive 

 assertion which I have made that they do not live by suction, 

 but devour worms and various grubs and insects, it is but fair 

 that I should add that the digestion of all these birds is extra- 

 ordinarily rapid. 



165. DUNLIN (Tringa variabilis). 



This is one of the most abundant birds on suitable coasts, and 

 immense flocks may generally be seen where sand-banks and 

 mud-banks are left bare by the receding tide ; but it is seldom 

 found far from the seashore, and it is quite by accident when an 

 occasional straggler is driven so far inland as Wiltshire. It 

 seldom comes so far south except in winter, for the breeding 

 places of the great bulk of the species are in the distant north ; 

 hence its modern specific name, alpina. And out of the seven 

 specimens of which I have records in this county, six were killed 

 in the month of February viz., in 1870 two were killed on 

 February 10th at Chitterne, on February 16th, one at Market 

 Lavington, on February 18th, one at Compton Bassett, now in 

 the possession of Major Heneage. In 1873, one was shot on 

 February 13th at Avebury, one on February 22nd at Wed- 

 hampton ; and in 1875, on December 9th, one was shot by Mr. 

 T. Jenner, of Netheravon. So much does its breeding plumage 

 differ from its winter garb that it was long known under two 

 names, the ' Dunlin ' and the ' Purre ' ; and the identity of these, 

 till then recognised as distinct, was discovered by our country- 

 man, Colonel Montagu, who unravelled so many similar cases of 

 confusion, and pointed out the truth. When a flock of Dunlins 

 is on wing above the mud-banks, it is marvellous to see by what 

 simultaneous impulso every bird twists and turns, now exposing 



