6iZ THE BIKDS OF DEVOX. 



which Mr, Dresser describes as " miniature Curlew's eggs, of a pale colour, 

 and of about the size of the egg of the Wood-Sandpiper'" ('Birds of 

 Europe,' vol. viii. p. 108). 



Although often plentiful on the estuarr of the Exe, and also at Axmouth. the 

 Sanderling is generally scarce on the shores of Torbay (F. Pershonse, Trans. Devon. 

 As.soc. vol. Tiii. p. 288) and at Plymouth (J. G-., Zool. 1873, p. '3'i'Xi). It is common 

 in autumn on the coast between Bolt Tail and Avonmouth (E. A. S. E., in Utf. ), and 

 is sometimes numerous on the sand-flats near Barnstaple, but is not a regular winter 

 visitor to the north of the county (il. A. M., Zool. 1859, p. 6762). 



Sanderlings sometimes occur in spring and summer in breeding-plumage. One on 

 the Exe, June 8th, 1844 (F. \V, L. E.). and one May 19th, 1850 (R. C). Both these 

 specimens are in the A. 'SL M. Mr. Cecil Smith shot eight at one shot at Exmouth on 

 May 7th, 1863, which were in all stages of plumage (M.S. Notes) ; and one was seen 

 in breeding-dress and very tame feeding along the margin of Slapton Ley (J. H. G., 

 Zool. 1^71, p. 2679). Flocks were met with in spring plumage in May 1887 and 1890 

 on the sands at Thurlestone (E. A. S. E., MS. Notes). 



This species is frequently confounded with the Dunlin, which is also often called 

 " Sanderling," and probably from this causeit has been reported from Dartmoor and baa 

 even been stated to breed there. 



BufF- breasted Sandpiper. Tryngites mfescens 

 (VieilL). 



An accidental visitor, of extremely rare occurrence. 



Tlii.s pretty wanderer from America is said to be a frequenter of dry 

 pUiins, where it feeds upon grasshoppers and other insects. Like many 

 other Sandpipers it nests in the Arctic Regions, and the only eggs of it 

 known are those in the Smithsonian Institution, which were taken by 

 Mr. McFarlane on the banks of the Anderson river. The Buff-breasted 

 Sandpiper is described as very tame and confiding. It may always 

 be known by the beautiful mottled baud drawn across the under surface of 

 the wings. The only undoubted Devonshire example of this rare species 

 which we have handled is the one which is now in the Taunton Castle 

 Museum, which was presented to the late Dr. Woodforde of Taunton by 

 Mr, S. De B. Heaven, who shot it on Lundy Island in the autumn of 

 185S (H. Saunders, Yarrcll's '■ British Birds,' 4th ed. iii. p. 437). 



In Cornwall the Buff-breasted Sandpiper has been obtained twice : the 

 first was shot on the sands between Marazion and Penzance, September 3rd, 

 184(), while flying with Dunlins and Einged Plovers: and the second on 

 September 8th, 1800, by a pool on some high moor-ground near Chun 

 Castle, Morvah. Then, in September 1870, a third example was obtained 

 on St. Briber's, one of the Scilly Islands, which was also noticed by the 

 margin of a pool (Eodd's ' Birds of Cornwall,' p. 100). 



In August 1851 a bird, supposed by the late !Mr. F. W. L. Boss to 

 belong to this species, was shot on the Exe, and was often seen by us in 

 his possession after it had been set up, with its wings raised so as to show 

 the under wing-coverts : but when his collection was handed over to the 

 Albert Memorial Museum in 186.5, this bird was not forthcoming — at any 

 rate there was no specimen of the Buff-breasted Sandpiper in the collec- 



