112 
ASH-COLOURED SANDPIPER. 
tliin-skiiined Crustacea, wliicli are put in motion by every 
receding wave. If disti|rbed, the whole flock take wing 
together, and wheeling along jn half circles near the edge 
of the Avater or the mud, each bird exhibits alternately a 
dark or light appearance to the observer, as the upper or 
under side of its body happens to be turned to him.' 
During the winter many dozens are shot for the table 
on various parts of the coast, and are considered to be very 
good eating; they are in best condition, however, in autumn, 
and are therefore most carefidly sought by sportsmen at 
that season. 
Macgillivray was surprised on approaching a flock of 
these pretty shore searchers, too intent on their occupation 
to notice him, to hear from them a gentle warble, which 
was composed of feeble notes resembling the syllables pee, 
pee^ pee J continually repeated, and with more frequency 
when the individuals came very near each other. When 
searching the beaches on which waves are breaking, they 
utter louder, although still faint cries, and by stooping more 
rapidly seem to jerk up their tail, although it is seldom 
raised above the level of the back ; none of the birds of this 
family depress the tail when stooping. 
The Dunlins appear to breed in great numbers on the 
heaths and islands of Scotland : being found IVequently in 
the haunts of the Golden Plover, they have been called 
* Plover's Pages.* Towards the middle of April they leave 
the coasts for their breeding grounds, where they remain 
until about the end of August, living on insects and worms 
found in the mud of the shallow pools, and the soft ground 
by the edges of lakes and marshes. The young, like those 
of the Plover and Lapwing, leave the nest directly they are 
excluded from the egg, and run about, crouching close to 
the ground for concealment when alarmed. When able to 
shift for themselves, they remain some weeks on the shores 
with their parents, forming small flocks, whicli often as 
evening approaches collect into larger, resting at night on 
the smoother parts of the heath. If disturbed they stretch 
up their wings, utter a few low notes, and stand on the 
alert, or perhaps run a short distance and then pause ; 
they are not generally very shy, or difficult to shoot. 
