CLXVII. 

 TRINGA MARITIMA, 



Purple Sandpipek. 



A nest and eggs of this species, said to have been found 

 in Scotland, were amongst the rarities in the museum of 

 Mr. Bullock ; but in whose possession they now are I have 

 not been able to ascertain. 



In some remarks published by Mr. Selby, on the birds 

 frequenting the Fern Islands, he mentions having there 

 met with the Purple Sandpiper and its young ones, which 

 were scarcely able to fly. 



The egg which I have figured is from a careful drawing 

 lent me by Mr. Yarrell, and made from an egg in the col- 

 lection of Mr. Leadbeater, of London. 



I have seen small parties of this Sandpiper during the 

 breeding season on the Shetland Islands, as well as during 

 our Norwegian bird-nesting excursion ; and I have often 

 wondered why so many individuals of several species of 

 the sea-birds are idlers during this busy season. 



