4062 The Zoologist — Jdly, 1874. 



broad black tip covered half the bill. Of course it is difficult to 

 decide these nice points of distinction even with the aid of a 

 powerful telescope; but this is now for a season the only means 

 available to the out-door naturalist. 



Dunlin. — May 5. Still rather numerous on the coast; all, without 

 exception, examined to-day are in summer plumage. Amongst 

 these were several of the smaller race or variety. The difference in 

 size is almost more marked than between the two ringed dotterels. 

 In two dunlins feeding side by side the one seemed nearly double 

 the size of the other. The smaller bird has the upper plumage 

 more richly coloured, — more rufous in it, — and the abdominal black 

 patch covers proportionately less space, or is more encroached 

 upon by white. I should say this smaller race is quite as good a 

 species as is ^gialitis intermedius. It differs altogether from its 

 congener in size, is shorter and slraighter in the bill, has shorter 

 tarsi, and richer and more variable plumage. 



Turnstone. — May 25. This summit of our sea-rampart, with its 

 dense fringe of waving grass, makes a capital post of observation. 

 You have only to stretch yourself on the embankment, push the 

 telescope through the grass, open your note-book, and commence 

 observations on the first group of birds within range. I have spent 

 many happy hours in this way ; likewise on dreary sea-coasts, 

 behind the ridge of drifted sea- weed and tide-wreck, held long vigils, 

 marking the ways and habits of shore-birds, — eager, too, for speci- 

 mens, or why that double tube projecting ready from its miniature 

 embrasure between those bottomless, wave-cast fish-hampers. To- 

 day all is peace, and no deadly weapon within ready grasp, or how 

 could I resist the temptation .? — for here, just below, on the slope 

 of the embankment, in the bright sunlight, are three pairs of turn- 

 stones in their lovely summer dress — such perfect specimens I have 

 never seen before. No need of a glass now, for they are near 

 enough to note unaided even the colour of the legs and irides, and 

 every shade and marking of that richly variegated plumage of 

 chestnut, black and white. I can mark them, too, picking out little 

 crabs and other small crustaceans as they toss to and fro, in their 

 eager search, the black fronds of the bladder-wrack. Till I choose 

 to make my presence known, they are totally unconscious of being 

 the objects of so close a scrutiny. As I lift my head, with a 

 querulous alarm-whistle, they are on the wing, displaying to per- 

 fection their richly variegated dress; but their flight is short, as 



