THE DUNLIN 



THE DUNLIN. 



Tringa alpina, Linnaeus. 

 Plate 66. 



Frequenting our shores in large numbers during the autumn and winter months, 

 especially mud-flats and estuaries, this wader breeds regularly in suitable localities 

 in the British Islands, though many leave us in spring for their summer quarters 

 in other lands. 



The Dunlin is more plentiful in the breeding season on the moors of the 

 northern counties of England than in the south, and nests in some favourable 

 districts in Wales, but is still more numerous in the wilder parts of Scotland and 

 its islands, where it often associates with the Golden Plover, hence its name of 

 " Plover's Page." A few pairs breed in Ireland. 



In summer this species inhabits many parts of Northern Europe and Asia, and 

 in winter visits the Mediterranean, as well as Africa and India. 



The nest, lined with a few dry bents, is placed in a tuft of grass or in some 

 slight hollow in the ground, and contains four eggs which vary in ground-colour 

 from a light greyish-green to a pale brown, blotched and spotted with rich warm 

 brown and purplish-grey shell-markings. The food consists of worms, insects, and 

 small marine animals. 



The striking effect produced by a flock of Dunlin in their ordered masses when 

 in flight, as the birds incline first to one side and then the other, flashing as their 

 snowy underparts catch the light or melting into the background as they turn, has 

 often afforded delight to lovers of nature and has been alluded to by most authors 

 who have described this bird. 



Macgillivray thus describes their habits, "If it be pleasant to gaze upon the 

 flocks as they sweep over the water, it is not less so to watch them searching the 

 shores. They are seen moving about in a quiet manner, never interfering with each 

 other, but busily picking up the food which comes in their way, or which they 

 discover by tapping or probing, without, however, thrusting their bills deep into the 

 sand or mud. Frequently, keeping along the edge of the water, they are seen to 

 run out as the wave retires, and retreat as it advances on the beach. In still 

 shallow water they may often be seen wading, and it is observable that their bills 

 are just about the length of their tarsi and the exposed part of the tibia ; but they 

 never go beyond their depth or resort to swimming, although when wounded, 

 should one drop into the water, it floats buoyantly, and is capable of advancing. 



iv. 33 e 



