584 DUNLIN. 
two races: a large and northern one of duller tints, and a smaller 
brighter bird to which Brehm applied the name TZ: schinzi. North 
American individuals are characterized, as a rule, by their larger 
size, longer bills, and more rufous summer-plumage, but in sketch- 
ing the geographical distribution I consider these as merely forms 
of one species. With this proviso, it may be said that the Dunlin 
ranges in summer to East Greenland, Spitsbergen, Iceland, the 
Feeroes, Scandinavia, Kolguev, South Novaya Zemlya, and the 
tundras of Russia. Southward, it nests in Holland (locally), Den- 
mark, and along the coast of Northern Germany ; while, according 
to Prof. Giglioli, it breeds in the marshes of Venetia in North 
Italy ; and Mr. Abel Chapman shot a bird from its eggs in the 
extreme south of Spain. During the colder months of the year the 
Dunlin is met with on all the sea-shores and many of the inland 
waters of Europe, as well as in the Canaries; and in Africa it 
migrates down the east side as far as Zanzibar. In summer it 
inhabits the greater part of Siberia, while it winters in China and 
many districts of the Indian region. In America it nests in the 
north, descending on the Pacific littoral to California and on the 
Atlantic to the West Indies ; it is also found in Greenland. 
Early in May on the salt-marshes—though somewhat later on the 
fells—the Dunlin forms a slight nest, which is often in a tussock 
of coarse grass, or among sea-pinks, short heather &c. ; the eggs, 
4 in number, are greenish-white, blotched and spotted with two 
shades of reddish-brown : measurements 1°35 by‘g5 in. During the 
pairing-season the birds soar to a moderate height, uttering a some- 
what prolonged dwee ; but in autumn, when in flocks, a distinct purve 
may be heard. From this the species derives one of its local 
names, while it is also called “Stint,” ‘“Ox-bird” and ‘“ Sea-snipe.” 
The food consists of worms, small crustaceans, and marine insects. , 
The adult in spring (represented in the foreground) has the crown 
of the head rufous, streaked with black; mantle chestnut, variegated 
with black ; rest of the upper plumage chiefly ash-grey ; throat and 
upper breast greyish-white with dark stripes ; lower breast black ; 
belly white. Asa rule the females are larger and have longer bills 
than the males. Average length 7°5 in. (bill 1°25), wing 4'5 in. 
In the young the feathers of the head and back have large black 
centres and rufous margins ; the chin is white; the upper breast 
tawny-buff, with dark streaks which enlarge to spots on the lower 
breast and flanks; belly nearly white. In winter the adult is 
chiefly ash-colour above, with a distinct white alar bar, and the 
under parts are white, with a mottled greyish band on the lower neck. 
