6966 Birds, 



there. And away went the remainder towards the sea; then, turning, 

 they rounded a point or headland called Blackpots, and disappeared 

 from view. From this and their not returning I knew that they had 

 gone to the sands at Whitehills, about three miles distant, to which 

 place I proceeded ; but no sooner was I there than back they flew in 

 the direction they had come. Back I went also, and found them at 

 the old place. Just as I reached them away they went once more, 

 and of course away I went likewise. In this way we continued nearly 

 the whole day, they flying to and fro, I following them. Towards 

 evening, my strength beginning to fail, and feeling quite exhausted, I 

 gave up the chase, and once more took up my abode amongst the 

 shingle, in the hope that they might return there again for the night. 

 Just as I wished and expected, and while it was yet light, they came 

 and alighted about thirty yards from where I lay. Away went fatigue, 

 hunger, and thoughts of home ; in fact, the sight of the object of my 

 day and night's solicitude made me a new creature. Off went the 

 messengers of death. Two of the birds fell, the rest fled once more 

 towards the sea. I followed, but had not proceeded far when I 

 observed one falter ; leaving its companions, it bent its course 

 towards where 1 stood, and suddenly dropped almost at my very feet. 

 As 1 picked up the httle thing I could not but feel thankful that ray 

 patience and perseverance had been crowned with such success. It 

 was the first little stint 1 had shot, and the only one I have ever 

 seen here. 



Temminck's Stint (7*. Temminckii). Mr. Taylor, at one time 

 gamekeeper to the Earl of Fife, is said to have shot a specimen on 

 the river bank. 



Dunlin {T. variabilis). These breed in a few of our marshy places, 

 and may now and then be met with along the coast. Towards 

 autumn large flocks appear, but do not remain long. Specimens may 

 be picked up occasionally, during winter, almost pure white, except 

 the bill, legs and feet, which retain their usual colour. This species 

 appears to differ considerably in size, the legs and bills included, the 

 larger birds often having the shortest bills. 



Purple Sandpiper {T. maritima). A rock-loving species whilst 

 with us, never leaving the rocks unless from necessity. They are 

 gregarious, and huddle so closely together that I have known as 

 many as twenty-three killed at one shot. I have killed them occa- 

 sionally during summer, their colour then being of a rufous or rusty 

 character, or more like that of the dunlin, the purple gloss and dark 

 gray plumage of winter having all but disappeared. 



