894 TRINGA TEMMINCKI. 



asserts that it is found on passage in the north and south-east, and that it breeds in the mountains of the ivest 

 and north-east of the country betiveen an elevation of 10,000 and 14,000 feet. 



Col. Prjevalsky says that it is tolerably common in S.E. Mongolia during the spring migration; and in 

 the summer in July he met with it in the Hoang-ho valley, where he considers it probably breeds. " In Gobi," 

 he remarks, " a few migrating individuals were observed during the month of August ; they kept most to the 

 small rain-pools. It does not occur in Kan-su ; nor did we find it in Koko-nor ; but its absence in the latter 

 place might be accounted for by our being there only late in autumn and early in spring." Pere David like- 

 wise found it common in Mongolia on the borders of rivers and lakes, and observes that it occurs in numerous 

 flocks through China, remaining in the southern provinces during the winter. 



It wanders very far north to breed. Von Middendorff observed it in Taimyr Land, on the river of that 

 name, in lat. 74° N. ; and Mr. Seebohm met with it on the Yenesay. The first-named author states that it 

 nests on the Boganida river, and also in the Stanowoi Mountains in Eastern Siberia. Mr. Seebohm remarks 

 that at the mouth of the Yenesay and on the islands of the delta it was by far the commonest species of its 

 genus. Finsch states ('Ibis,' 1877) that he observed it with young on the isthmus of the Yalmal Peninsula; 

 but he since writes that the birds observed were T. minuta. Von Schrenck observed it on the Schilka as early 

 as the 19th of May ; and one specimen obtained was then in winter dress. It is found on the Japanese island 

 of Yezo; and it occurs throughout the Chinese coast in winter. It is probably by way of the coast of China 

 that it strays as far south as Borneo, where it was obtained at Pagattan by Schwaner. 



Turning westward to Europe, we find it recorded from Turkey by Herr Finsch ; and in the south of the 

 continent generally it is found during the winter. Professor Von Nordmann, writes Mr. Dresser, believes it 

 to breed in the Crimea. Its true summer haunts are, however, the north of Russia, Lapland, and Scandinavia, 

 whither it resorts in great abundance to nest, as we learn from Messrs. Seebohm and Harvie Brown's expe- 

 rience on the Petchora, and likewise from the visit of the latter gentleman to Archangel. It is not so common 

 in the west of Europe as the Little Stint, and is only a straggler to Englaud, where it occurs chiefly in the 

 autumn. Several examples have been obtained in the neighbourhood of Newcastle by Mr. Hancock, and 

 among them one in summer plumage, shot on the 25th of May. It has once been found in Ireland, according 

 to Mr. Dresser ; but in Scotland it has not been noticed, although it ought to occur on the east coast en route 

 to Norway. It is included in Mr. Smith's list of Portugal birds, although he did not observe it himself. Near 

 Gibraltar it is common in winter, being, says Col. Irby, found in small parties of from six to a dozen or more. 

 It has not been recorded from Morocco; but it no doubt occurs there, as it has been found down the west 

 coast as far as Senegambia. It is met with in Algeria; and in Egypt and Nubia it is distributed throughout 

 the country, but is not so abundant as the Little Stint. Von Heuglin states that it wanders south in winter 

 as far as the Kordofan swamps and the White Nile, and is also to be found on the coast of the Red Sea, 

 leaving for the north in April and May, although stragglers remain throughout the summer in that region. 



Habits. — In its economy this pretty little Stint resembles the other members of the genus Trinya, and 

 frequents the usual localities on the banks of tidal or large inland rivers, the margins of lagoons, salt marshes, 

 and the sea-shore itself. Its flight is swift; and it has a singular habit of hovering in the air while breeding, 

 which is not peculiar to any other of its congeners. Messrs. Alston and Harvie Brown speak of it as 

 follows : — "It rises and hovers with raised wings about 15 feet from the ground, uttering at the same time 

 a low trilling note. This habit was well known to our boatmen, one of whom, when he wished to indicate the 

 species to us, would hold out his arms, vibrating the fingers, and imitating the ciy of the bird to perfection." 

 Col. Irby states that they are " tame and easy to obtain;" and this trait in their disposition is intensified during 

 the breeding-season, for the charming fearlessness which they exhibit at this time has been the admiration of all 

 who have visited their Arctic haunts. Mr. Dresser noticed, while observing them in Finland, that, in running 

 about after insects, gnats, &c, on which they feed, " they moved with great activity, the head drawn rather 

 close to the body ; and when they rested for a moment they would, like many of their allies, move the head 

 backwards and forwards several times. The note is shrill and cricket-like, but pleasant, and somewhat 

 resembles the word Tiirii several times repeated." 



Nidifcation. — In the north of Asia this species breeds on the Boganida, Yenesay, Ob, and Taimyr rivers, 



