690 BIRDS OF JNDIA. 



ally. It associates in considerable flocks, and prefers large sand 

 banks or mud banks on the sea-coast, or in large rivers. It has 

 been found throughout the Indian Archipelago, and breeds in the 

 North of Europe and Asia. It is considered most excellent food. 



The next species belongs to restricted Pelidna, apud Bonap., 

 Schcenichis, apud Gray. 



883. Tringa cinclus, Linnaeus. 



Blyth, Cat. 1595 — Gould, Birds of Europe, pi. 329 — T. alpina, 

 LlNN. — Scol. salina, Pallas< — Numenius variabilis, Bechstein. 



The Dunlin. 



Deser. — In winter plumage, above, with the lores and cheeks 

 ashy-brown, the shafts of the feathers dark, and those of the upper 

 plumage edged paler ; supercilia and sides of the forehead whitish- 

 ashy ; lesser and median coverts brown, edged with ashy ; quills 

 deep brown, with a pale edging ; middle tail feathers dark brown, 

 the laterals ashy and edged with white ; throat white ; breast 

 whitish-ashy with a few brown streaks ; abdomen and under 

 tail-coverts pure white. 



Bill black ; irides deep brown. Length 7-k inches ; wing 4^ ; 

 tail If ; bill at front 1£ ; tarsus 1. 



In summer the head is black, the upper plumage much mixed 

 with ferruginous and brown ; the abdomen pure black ; and the 

 breast white and spotted. 



The Dunlin is a somewhat rare visitant to India, and I have 

 not seen it in the South. It is occasionally brought to the 

 Calcutta market. It is an inhabitant of both Continents, breeding 

 in the North. 



T. maculata, V. (pectoralis, Say,) of N. America, and occa- 

 sionally killed in Britain, is also placed here. 



The next species, of small size, is separated as Actodromus, 

 Kaup. 



884. Tringa minuta, Leisler. 



Blyth, Cat. 1597— T. pusilla, Meyer— Jerdon, Cat. 345 — 

 Gould, Birds of Europe, pi. 332— T. cinclus, Pallas— Chota 

 jwi-loha, H. 



