SANDPIPERS AND THE SANDERLING 59 



Length from bill to end of tail, ten inches. This is 

 the plumage of the Knot that is usually met with 

 here. 



The full summer plumage is quite different. The 

 bill is black, head and lower parts light red ; some of 

 the feathers along the breast and belly white. The 

 upper parts purplish-black, the feathers margined 

 with light red, on the hind-parts tipped with white. 

 The primaries greyish-black ; tail ash grey, margined 

 with white. The eggs of this bird are not known. 



THE PURPLE SANDPIPER. 

 {Tringa striata.) 



Male. — The bill, a little longer than the head, is 

 black, its base orange ; iris brown, eyelids white, 

 the head and neck purplish-grey ; throat and line 

 over the eyes white. The back is glossy brownish- 

 black, with rich purple reflections, the feathers 

 margined with greyish-white. The primary quills 

 greyish-black edged with white ; legs and feet yellow. 

 Length, eight inches. 



THE DUNLIN. 

 {Tringa alpina.) 



Male. — The bill, a little longer than the head, is 

 black ; iris brown. Upper plumage brownish-grey, 

 each feather having a dusky central line ; sides of 

 head and neck similar, the fore-part of latter paler 

 in colour. From the bill over the eye there is 



