148 GRALLATORES. TRINGA. TRINGA. 
naus), though the same objections hold good with respect 
to its identity, which I have previously stated as prevailing 
in the case of 7°. T’emminckii, with which species also I have 
no doubt it has been frequently confounded. In size it 
rather exceeds that bird; but its form and general appear- 
ance are so similar, as to render a narrow inspection abso- 
lutely necessary to ascertain the peculiar characters that dis- 
tinguish the one from the other. The first essential differ- 
ence observable is in the comparative length of the tarsus, 
being in 7. minuta fully seven-eighths of an inch long, 
whilst in 7. Temminckii it does not exceed five-eighths. 
The form of the tail also varies from that of the latter bird 
(which I have described as wedge-shaped), being doubly 
JSorked ; that is, the two middle feathers and the outer one 
on each side are longer than the intermediate ones, thus giv- 
ing to each half of the tail a forked appearance ; added to 
which, its colour is dissimilar, the whole of the feathers be- 
ing of an uniform pale hair-brown, with the exception of the 
central ones, which are deep lustrous hair-brown. The legs 
and feet also of the present species vary, by being of a 
darker colour. Like the 7’. Temminckii it can only be con- 
Occasional sidered in the light of an occasional visitant, during its au- 
e tommnal migrations. In addition to the instances recorded 
by Monracu, Bewick, and others, Mr Yarre tt, in the 
Zoological Journal, mentions four of these birds that were 
killed in 1826, and I have since met with other specimens, 
all killed in the southern parts of England, as it is very rare- 
ly met with in the northern districts of the island. Accord- 
ing to 'TrEMMINcK, it js not uncommon during its autumnal 
passage in the extensive marshes of Holland; and it is also 
frequently found on the margins of lakes and rivers in France 
and Germany. It is very common upon the lake of Geneva; 
and I have received specimens in almost perfect summer plu- 
mage from Italy, as well as others from India, which appear 
Food. to be identical with the European kind. It feeds upon the 
smaller water-insects, worms, and mollusca. It has not yet 
