HINTS FOR COLLECTING WATER BIRDS. 



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have but little variation of colour, — but the curlew varies very much in 

 size, and the young of both species have the bill shorter than the old ; 

 several should be shot, and a fine long-billed one selected ; any time in 

 winter or spring will do. 



The young turnstone (Strepsilas collar is) differs much from the old 

 — and specimens of each should be procured. I am not aware they 

 undergo any change from season, but have never seen them except in 

 the month of August, when they frequent our coast. 



The birds comprising the Tringa genus are subject to so many 

 changes, that a considerable number of each is requisite to illustrate 

 the species properly. The dunlin ( T. variabilis) varies so much, that, 

 except during the winter months, it is difficult to find two specimens 

 that are exactly alike. In addition to the summer and winter plumage 

 of this group, several others in the intermediate states will add great 

 interest to a collection ; they should be killed at different times in the 

 autumn and spring, to show the gradual change of colour ; and two or 

 three young ones at different times in the autumn. Of the ruff ( T. 

 pugnax) the variety in summer is almost infinite ; three or four, pre- 

 senting the greatest contrast, should be selected. A female, or reeve, a 

 male in winter, and a young one in autumn, which very much resembles 

 the female, should also be added. The beginning of May will be found 

 the best time for getting the males in perfection. 



The red-shank {Totanus Calidris), green-shank (T 7 . Glottis), and 

 spotted red-shank (T. fuscus), differ considerably in summer and 

 winter; the young but little from the winter plumage of the adult. 

 They have but little sexual difference, a characteristic, indeed, of the 

 whole genus Totanus. The green sand-piper (T. ochropus) I have 

 never seen except in the autumnal months, when I have shot the old 

 and birds of the year, which differ sufficiently to require specimens of 

 each ; as does also the common sand-piper ( T. hypoleucus). 



The godwits become beautifully red in the spring. The male of the 

 common godwit {Limosa rnfa) is much smaller, and in summer of a 

 brighter red than the female ; one or two of these should also be got 

 when in change, and the young in autumn. May will be found the 

 best month for getting these and all the various species of sand-pipers 

 in their summer plumage in the greatest perfection ; if deferred till 

 later, and until they begin to breed, the feathers of many get rugged 

 and shabby. 



A well selected assortment of these families forms perhaps the 

 prettiest and most interesting group of British birds that can be got 



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