52 Patieii : Migratory Movements of certain Shore- Birds. 



in winter, due partly to scattering, and partly to the migration 

 of some of the birds southward. It still continues plentiful 

 as a vernal migrant during May and June. 



Little Stint [Tringa minuta). 



Though I have regarded the Little Stint as an irregular 

 autumnal visitor to the flats of Dublin Bay, not appearing 

 during certain years (' Irish Naturalist,' 1898, p. 234, and 

 ihid. i8gg, p. 254), I have more recently felt inclined to modify 

 somewhat this statement, and look upon the species as probably 

 occurring every year in the locality in question. This is the 

 view which I have ventured to give in my ' Aquatic Birds,' 

 p. 295, regarding its appearance on the coast of Ireland gener- 

 ally, ' but in varying and limited numbers.' I must admit that 

 I have not seen it for some seasons past, but then my recent 

 visits have been of very brief duration, and I have not had 

 opportunities as in former years of making almost daily visits 

 during September, the month in which this species usually 

 appears on the Dublin coast. 



Granting, however, that one had these opportunities, it is 

 an easy matter to overlook this bird, for its visits are only 

 passing ; indeed, I believe it is a matter of its being here to-day 

 and gone to-morrow in most instances, so that it is obvious how 

 many birds are altogether missed. Further, while it may con- 

 sort with large flocks of Dunlins and other shore-birds on the 

 open strand, yet, in my experience, it is also very partial to 

 little grass patches and the edges of pools, where it occurs 

 singly or in pairs. This, coupled with its great tameness when 

 away from the company of more wary birds, gives the Merlin 

 a greater chance of picking it up ; indeed, the frequency with 

 which this Falcon surprises and captures small shore-birds 

 on the grass patches of the North Bull is remarkable ; a greater 

 proportion of birds losing their lives in this way, than when 

 they are pursued in flocks over the open slob-land. Indeed,, 

 the presence of a flock seems to thwart the falcon, as may be 

 seen by the time taken to single out the victim and capture it. 

 And thirdly, numbers of shore-shooters frequent the North Bull 

 during September, when the migrants are tame, and it is quite 

 likely that Little Stints are shot occasionally which, with a bag 

 full of Dunlins, are included as Sand-larks for to-morrow's pie. 



Regarding the occurrences of this bird during the past two 

 seasons, I have been informed that it has been seen, but no 

 specimens were secured. 



[To be continued). 



Naturalist,. 



