34 



in India ; but how far in a south easterly direction its range extends, and the point where it meets 

 that of T. albescens, are matters for future scientific research to determine. 



Throughout Great Britain and Ireland it is found at the seasons of migration, and is certainly 

 more numerous in autumn, when it is seen more or less plentifully on the eastern coasts. 

 Mr. R. Collett states that this Sandpiper is very common near Christiania in spring and autumn, 

 arriving in flocks, with Dunlins, in the middle of August, and leaving for the south about the last 

 of September. Nilsson also states that it is common in Sweden at the same period of the year ; 

 and according to Sommerfeldt it appears in spring on the Tana river, and in autumn on the 

 Varanger Fiord in company with other waders, but is not common. Throughout the whole of 

 Germany and Central Europe, it is common during migration, occurring on the coasts and in the 

 interior. Schlegel says that it is met with in Holland more often in the interior than on the 

 coast ; and this is partly confirmed by Mr. H. M. Labouchere, who writes to us as follows : — " This 

 bird occasionally visits Holland in autumn, and may then be seen near the dykes and on the 

 banks of rivers and lakes." De Selys Longchamps says that it is rare in Belgium, occurring 

 during migration; and Mr. J. H. Gurney writes: — "I was told by the Curator of the Museum 

 at Tournaie that this species (usually solitary) is constantly found frequenting the banks of the 

 Scheldt in that neighbourhood during its northward migration in spring ; it is then in breeding- 

 dress." Krcener states that it is an occasional visitor in autumn to Alsace and the Vosges, on the 

 borders of the rivers and lakes. Degland and Gerbe observe that it is found regularly during 

 migration in the north of France, particularly on the coast near Dunquerque, where it appears 

 late in August and in April. In the spring it is sometimes seen in the marshes near Lille ; and 

 according to Jaubert and Barthelemy Lapommeraye it passes through Provence late in August or 

 in September, returning in March or April. Savi states that it migrates through Italy in May and 

 September, and it is met with in Sicily at the same time of the year. From Spain we have seen 

 some beautiful specimens in full summer dress collected by Dresser and Mr. Howard Saunders. 

 Major Irby, however, has only met with it once, on November 8th, near Tangier; and this is confirmed 

 by Mr. C. F. Tyrwhitt Drake, who found it in the same country at a small lake near Lavaiche. 

 Loche states that it is common in Algeria during the winter ; and Mr. C. A. Wright records it as 

 " very common in Malta and Gozo in spring, part of summer, and autumn." Lord Lilford observes 

 that it is rather common in April and May in the Ionian Islands, particularly on the race-course 

 of Corfu, which is an excellent locality for birds of many species at various seasons ; but Lieut. 

 Sperling found it rather rare at Missolonghi in the early part of April. Von der Miihle states 

 that this species remains in Greece throughout the winter, and some are found in May or even in 

 June. Mr. Robson sends us the following note : — " The Little Stint is pretty numerous during 

 the spring and autumn migrations in both Asiatic and European Turkey, arriving in the middle 

 of May, and departing in the early part of September, but it is never seen in winter." The same 

 gentleman also tells us that it breeds in the neighbourhood of the Black Sea; but though it is 

 true that Mr. Eobson has sent us some birds in full breeding-plumage shot as late as June 5th, 

 we must see eggs actually taken from that locality before we can believe that this bird breeds in 

 South-eastern Europe. Professor von Nordmann found it not uncommon in New Russia and 

 Bessarabia during the periods of migration. A few straggling pairs were seen late in May 1835 

 in the southern part of the Crimea. Late in August, or early in September, when it migrates 



