LITTLE STINT. ^7 



GRALLATORES. SCOLOPACIDM. 



PLATE CXCIX. 



LITTLE STINT, 



TRINGA M1NUTA. 



The Little Stint is, in Britain, an autumnal visitant, at 

 which season it frequents the muddy shores of rivers, either in 

 small flocks or in the company of other sandpipers ; in the 

 spring of the year this bird revisits us again on its way to the 

 north of Europe, in which region it is supposed to breed. 



The geographical distribution of the Little Stint is rather 

 comprehensive, extending all over Europe from north to south, 

 from the northern parts of Asia to Bengal, and is found in 

 Africa from the Mediterranean southward, as far as the equator. 



In many countries the Little Stint is found in great 

 numbers during its periodical wanderings, particularly where 

 the muddy banks of rivers and lakes suit its habits, or 

 where large tracts of exposed muddy flats extend. Sandy 

 ground or cover of long grass, reeds, trees, and osier beds are 

 vftry rarely frequented by this bird. Specimens obtained 

 in Britain are, usually, either young birds of the year, or 

 adult birds in winter plumage ; yet some few individuals in 

 summer plumage have been killed and preserved. 



The food of the Little Stint consists in small insects and 

 worms, which it obtains from the muddy surface of the flats 

 it inhabits. 



