83 



of this theory, however, has now been fully demonstrated ; for the sledging-parties sent out from 

 the 'Alert' discovered nothing but an impassable barrier of ice, and left almost all trace of bird- 

 life behind them, while the Knot was found breeding near where the vessels wintered ; but, as 

 above stated by Captain Feilden, he was not fortunate enough to find the eggs of this species, no 

 examples of which are known to exist in collections. 



The specimens figured are, on the one Plate the adult bird in full summer dress in the fore- 

 ground, and one in winter dress in the background ; and on the second Plate I have figured the 

 young bird in down obtained by Captain Feilden, and an immature example also obtained by 

 that gentleman, on the recent Arctic Expedition ; and I take the present opportunity of expressing 

 my indebtedness to him for the generous manner in which he has placed his specimens and notes 

 at my disposal. 



In the preparation of the above article I have, besides the series collected on the Arctic 

 Expedition, of which I have kept no list, examined the following specimens: — 



E Mus. H. Jfi. Dresser. 



a, cj. Pagham Harbour, Sussex, May {Harting). b, 6 . Pagham, May 17th, 1867 {Harting). c, d, e,f,juv. 

 Pagham, July 1870 {R. B. Sharpe) . g. Pagham, May 23rd, 1872. h, S . Dragor, near Copenhagen, 

 April 24th, 1870 {A. Benzon). i. Sweden, 1864 {Wegelin). k, $. Oland, August 25th, 1867 {Meves). 

 l,d,m,2. Marisma, Coto de Dona Ana, Spain, May 6th, 1872 {Lord Lilford). n, J . Santander, Spain, 

 June 17th, 1876 {Colonel Irby). o,6. Shanghai, China, April 1873 {R. Swinhoe). p. New-Jersey coast, 

 winter (/. Krider). 



