1874.] MR. J. E. HARTING ON A NEW TRINGA. 243 



it loses all trace of black upon the breast, and has the whole of the 

 underparts pure white. The same has been ascertained to be the 

 case with Tringa crassirostris. 



In order to give a better idea of the size of this new Sandpiper, I 

 subjoin the following measurements of bill, wing, tarsus, and middle 

 toe, as compared with the same parts in the two better-known 

 species to which it is allied : — 



Entire length. 

 in. 



T. crassirostris 11 



T. gracilis 10 



T. alpina 8 



In T. crassirostris (Plate XL. fig. /) the bill is uuusually deep at 

 the base, and laterally much compressed ; the wings long, with broad 

 and powerful flight-feathers ; the tail (fig. 9) almost square ; the tibia 

 for some portion of its length bare ; the tarsus (fig. 8) longer than the 

 middle toe ; the toes comparatively short, stout, and well margined, 

 as in Tringa canutus*, while the nails are long and curved. 



In T. gracilis, as in T. alpina (see Plate XL.), the bill (fig. 4) is 

 more slender and less compressed at the sides ; the wings, though long, 

 have uarrower and more feeble flight-feathers ; the central feathers of 

 the tail (fig. 6) are prolonged beyond the rest ; the tibia is feathered 

 nearly to the tarsal joint ; and the tarsus is somewhat shorter than the 

 middle toe and nail. The toes (fig. 5) are thus comparatively longer, 

 and, besides being more slender, are not margined to the same extent 

 as in T. crassirostris, although this feature is more noticeable in 

 T. gracilis than in T. alpina, which may be said to be almost devoid 

 of any emargination, while the nails are shorter and weaker. 



A considerable difference is observable in the contour of the tail 

 in these three species, as may be seen from the accompanying figures 

 (Plate XL. figs. 3, 6, 9). 



In the letter which accompanied the specimen now before me, 

 Professor Baird likened the species to Tringa maritima, but remarked 

 that he had received " specimens in which the black pectoral spot is 

 much more distinct and better defined" [than in the specimen he 

 sent me], " resembling somewhat that of T. alpina, only situated 

 considerably further up on the breast." In some respects no doubt 

 the bird in question does resemble T. maritima, as, for instance, in 

 having the tibia more or less feathered, in having the tarsus if any 

 thing shorter than the middle toe, and again in the contour of the 

 tail. But it differs entirely from T. maritima in the character of the 

 nuptial plumage, as also in the colour of the soft parts — the legs 



* Several naturalists who have met with T. crassirostris for the first time, as 

 Messrs. Hume, Swinhoe, Blakiston, and others, have likened it, from its robust 

 size, to the Knot, T. canutus ; and Mr. Swinhoe has named it the Chinese Knot. 

 There can be little doubt, however, from the character of its seasonal changes of 

 plumage, as well as from certain similarities of structure, that its affinities are 

 with the Dunlin. T. alpina. 



