THE STILT-WALKERS. 



37 



feathers having dark spots on the shafts and white edges. The five outer tail-feathers are whitish grey, 

 with white roots ; the eyes are deep brown ; the beak and the foot deep grey. During winter the 

 feathers on the upper portions of the body are light grey tipped with white, darkly spotted on the 

 shafts, and the under side is pure white. 



This elegant little bird occupies the coasts of all the northern portions of the globe. During the 

 course of its migrations it visits Southern Europe, keeping near the shores even while journeying from 

 one country to another, and but rarely crossing the mainland. This species is met with on most of 

 the sandy shores of Great Britain and Ireland, and is occasionally found near large pieces of fresh 

 water; it is not supposed to breed in this country, but has been seen in January and February, 



THE sanderling (Calidris armaria). 



April, June, August, and October. Like other Sandpipers, it associates in more or less numerous 

 flocks while in winter quarters, but lives in pairs throughout the summer. In disposition it is gentler 

 and more confiding than other members of its family, but closely resembles them in its general habits. 

 Upon the ground it runs with grace and agility, and exhibits the utmost dexterity in its beautiful and 

 rapid movements through the air, during which it frequently joins company with parties of other shore 

 birds. With so little timidity does the Sanderling regard man, that it is not uncommon for it to 

 permit his close approach, and even if shot at it often only moves a few paces from the spot. 

 Naumann mentions that upon one occasion, after watching the proceedings of five of these birds that 

 were standing almost close to him in most evident disregard of his presence, the thought struck him 

 that he would arrange some snares he had in his pocket and take the whole party prisoners. This 

 he accordingly did, the intended victims quietly watching his arrangements, and finally walking 

 amongst, and entangling themselves in the treacherous strings. 



