Brogden : Birds of Spalding and S. Lines. Fenland. 29 



Tringa subarquata (Guldenstadt). Curlew Sandpiper. To 



be found every autumn on the coast with Dunlin, Ring 

 Plover, and Turnstone. Is at once distinguished from the 

 Dunlin by its conspicuous white upper-tail coverts when 

 flying ; also it is a trifle larger and slightly lighter in 

 colour. 



Tringa striata L. Purple Sandpiper. Occurs almost every 

 autumn, and is always unusually tame. 



Tringa canutus L. Knot. Appears in large numbers during 

 the winter all along the coast. I have also shot it inland 

 in Moulton Marsh. 



Calidris arenaria (L.). Sanderling. Only visits the coast of 

 r this district, so far, as I have been able to ascertain, on its 

 summer migration north, at which time I have seen it in 

 beautiful plumage. A specimen shot by me in summer 

 plumage is now in the Natural History Museum, South 

 Kensington. This and another were both shot the same 

 day in June. 



Machetes pugnax (L.). Ruff. An annual autumn visitor, 

 occasionally in the spring. The excess of Ruffs over Reeves 

 has often occurred to me as peculiar ; during the last two 

 years I have seen sixteen Ruffs and only three Reeves. The 

 largest flock I ever saw was about thirty, out of which I 

 obtained a Ruff. I understand there are a fair number 

 about this year (1896). If left undisturbed I am convinced 

 they would take up at least one of their old haunts, namely, 

 Cowbit Wash, where several Were caught in the beginning 

 of March this year (1896), showing traces of summer 

 plumage. 



Totanus hypoleucos (L.). Common Sandpiper. Generally 

 to be found along the river and larger drains in summer and 

 autumn ; breeds occasionally. 



Totanus ochropus (L.). Green Sandpiper. An annual 

 autumn visitor to our rivers, drains, and ponds. Locally 

 called ' Black and White' Snipe. 



Totanus calidris (L.). Redshank. Numerous in the autumn, 

 and diminished numbers remain the winter. Have found it 

 breeding in fair numbers in Cowbit Wash in wet seasons. 



Totanus canescens (Gmelin). Greenshank. An annual 

 autumn visitor but in diminishing numbers ; has a peculiar 

 note even more 'jerky' than the Redshank. In flight the 

 feet are carried like a heron and show beyond the tail. 



1900 January 3. 



