TEMMINCK'S TRINGA. 



Tringa Temminckii, Leisl. 

 Le B6casseau Temmia. 



The Tringa Temminckii is the least of its tribe yet discovered : it is a species possessing many synonyms, and 

 has been frequently confounded with its near ally the Tringa minuta, from which it diners in being more 

 diminutive in size ; in never, as far as we have observed, obtaining the red colouring of the upper surface ; 

 and in possessing much shorter tarsi, which are always olive green instead of black. It also differs consi- 

 derably from T minuta in its habits, giving preference to inland creeks and muddy shores, rather than to the 

 open shingly beach, which is known to be the favourite resort of the latter. Although tolerably common on 

 our coast during spring and autumn, we have no authentic account of its ever breeding with us ; yet from 

 the circumstance of numbers of immature birds having come under our notice, there can be no doubt that this 

 delicate species, as well as the Dunlin and many others of its race, rear their young in some of our more 

 secluded and extensive marshes. On the Continent its range appears to be universal, that is, on every line 

 of coast favourable to its habits, and wide rivers and lakes offering a congenial habitat. Europe, however, 

 is not the extent of its range, as is proved by its being dispersed over the North of Africa and the greater 

 portion of Asia. Specimens have been received in collections from the high range of the Himalaya. 



The summer plumage of this species is much darker than that of winter, the back and whole upper surface 

 being covered with numerous markings of blackish brown. The young of the year may at all times be 

 distinguished by the semilunar edgings of black and grey which border the tips of each feather. 



The food consists of flies and other insects, worms, and molluscous animals. 



The female is rather larger than the male, but in their colouring the sexes offer no difference. 



Forehead, top of the head, and whole of the upper surface greyish brown, the centre of each feather being 

 blackish brown ; over the eye an indistinct line of white ; from the bill to the eye a pale brown streak ; 

 chin and throat white ; sides of the neck and the breast greyish brown, with numerous small spots of dark 

 brown ; primaries dull brown slightly edged with white ; secondaries and greater wing-coverts dull brown 

 very slightly tipped with white ; shaft of the first quill white, the others dull brown ; belly, vent, and under 

 tail-coverts white ; tail consisting of twelve feathers, of which the six central ones are greyish brown, and the 

 three outer ones on each side white ; bill blackish brown ; legs light olive brown ; claws black. 



We have figured an adult and young bird of the natural size. 



