334 THE BIRDS OF DEVOX. 



plumage from Xorth Devon ; those we have secured in the neighbourhood 

 of Earnstaple in September have all been young birds in immature dress. 



At Plymouth the Little Stint seems to be generally rare. Dr. E. Moore states that 

 small flocks of five or six are occasionally observed on the Laira (Mag. Nat. Hist. 1837, 

 p. iilO). The Rev. W. S. Here, with liis friend Mr. Guich, saw from fcjrty to fifty on 

 the Laira mud-banks, near Plymouth, in Oct. 184(J, and shot ten or twelve of thein 

 (Yarrell, B. Birds, 2nd ed. iii. p. 67). Some occurred at the same place on 15th and 

 17th Sept. 18.5.3 (B., MS. Notes). 



One was shot at Thurlestone by Mr. Geo. BalkwiU in 1876 (H. N., Zool. 1876, 

 p. r>lli>) ; and several were obtained near Kingsbridge, at the end of August 1800 

 (R. P. N., in lift.). Mr. H. Nicholls ha.s had three or four specimens (E. A. S. E.). 



Dr. R. C. R. Jordan shot one on the Teign estuary (Trans. Devon. Assoc, iv. 

 p. 711). 



One in tlie A. M. M. was shot on the Exe on Sept. .30th, 1841, and Mr. Ross states 

 that this was tlie only specimen he ever obtained, and that the Little Stint was scarce 

 at that time, tliough formerly many were .seen with Sanderlings and Purres (MS. 

 Journ. iii. p. 10). There were some examples in Mr. Eyne's collection said to have 

 come from the Exe, and others were shot on Exmouth beach in 1887, and in the 

 middle of October IS'.KJ. 



When in company with the late Mr. W. Brodrick in May 1866, we saw many which 

 had been shot near Budleigh Salterton, and were being hawked about for sale in the 

 streets of that town. 



One was obtained on the sand-flats at Barnstaple, August 22nd, 18.36, and one or two 

 flocks occurred there in the autumn of 18.5'J QI. A. M., Zool. 18.57, p. .5.347 ; 18.5<). 

 p 6762). Some on Northam Burrows. Sept. 2',>th, 1869, and a pair Sept. 14th, 1870 

 (M. S. C. R., Zool. 1870, pp. 202.5, 2387). 



Many occurred on the sands of the Taw in October 1874. 



In Cornwall 'Sir. Eodd states that the Little Stint is occasionally seen 

 both in the spring and autumn. .Mr. Cecil Smith did not know of any 

 Somerset Little Stint, neither do we, although it doubtless is sometimes 

 to be met with on the sand-flats on the north coast. 



In Dorsetshire it is recorded as a visitor both in spring and autumn, 

 and is said to be not uncommon about Poole, where a flock of thirty was 

 once noted. 



The Little Stint has a great range. Large flocks are met with in the 

 winter-time in Xortborn India, and Dr. Jerdon states that the.se little 

 birds are considered excellent eating. 



Temminck's Stint. Tringa temmincM, Leisler. 



A casual visitor, of very rare occurrence. Col. Montagu's example of 

 this species was killed in Devonshire (Yarrell, B. Birds, 2nd ed. iii. p. 71). 

 Two were shot on June 2sth, 1837, near Stonehouse Bridge, and were in 

 Bolitho's collection when Dr. E. Moore wrote his Catalogue of the Wading 

 Birds of DevoiLshire CMag. Xat. Hist. 1S37, p. 320). 



About the same size as the preceding species, this small species of Sand- 

 piper is easily to be known by the prevailing grey tints of its plumage. 

 If the Little Stint may be regarded as a miniature Dunlin, Temminck's 

 Stint might well be described as a small edition of the Common Sandpiper. 

 It has some of its breeding-stations much further to the south than the 

 Little Stint, and is a regular spring and autumn migrant to the south- 



