109 
CHAPTER VIL 
SANDPIPERS, &C. : THE BLACK-BREASTED, ASII-COLOURED, 
PURPLE, CURLEW-BILLED, PECTORAL, SCHINz's, FLAT-BILLED, 
TEMMINCK's, AND LITTLE SANDPIPERS SANDERLING 
CURLEW WHIMBREL, BAR, AND BLACK-TAILED GODWITS 
HUFF AND REEVE PIIALAROPE AND LOBEFOOT. 
UNDER tlie scientific name Tringince, Macgillivray lias 
grouped several species of birds, which agree in pre- 
senting certain characteristics, distinguishing them from the 
Fluvialince^ or Plovers, to which they are very closely allied. 
They have, as a rule, smaller and more compressed heads 
than the members of the latter family, longer and more 
slender bills, and comparatively small eyes, these organs in 
the Plovers being remarkably large and full. They are 
also more aquatic in their habits, some of them swimming 
habitually, and with case. They run with great speed, 
have a rapid flight, and emit loud shrill cries. In winter 
they are gregarious, often collecting in vast flocks, and 
searching the seashores for food, which consists of mol- 
lusca, Crustacea, and insects. 
The Scottish naturalist above named commences his 
account of this family with the following picture of their 
haunts and habits : — ^ Who that has often visited the shores 
of the ocean, wandered along the extended sand beaches 
on the margin of which the waves terminate their career 
in foam and uproar, or visited the muddy estuaries alter- 
nately filled and emptied by the periodical floods, has not 
stood to gaze upon the flocks of tiny birds that were busily 
picking up their food from the moist ground, or wheeling, 
as if in sport, their devious flights, now skimming the 
