282 FIELD-NOTES FOR THE YEAR. CII. XIX. 



weeks ago about the sandbanks and bar, have now 

 nearly all disappeared ; and their places are sup- 

 plied by innumerable curlews and other waders, 

 all of whom appear to find their food in the moist 

 sands, left by the ebb tide, which in this country 

 contain an endless supply of shellfish of different 

 kinds, from the minutest species, fit only to feed 

 the dunlin and sand-piper, to those which serve for 

 food to the oyster-catcher, whose powerful bill is 

 well adapted to breaking up the strongest cockles 

 and mussels which are found in this district. 



