118 
TUB COMMON SANDEKLING. 
as it sometimes visits our shores in small flocks ; still not 
many specimens have been taken here, and ^Ye are almost 
-wholly unacquainted with its habits. When seen it is 
often in company with the Dunlin and other Sandpipers on 
the sandy shores of the sea. Some have supposed it to 
breed in the. Arctic regions ; it occurs in autumn, winter, 
and spring in various parts of Europe, has been found in 
Asia and Africa, but not in America. 
The Common Sanderling {Calidris arenarici). — We 
here enter upon another genus, termed CalidriSj which is 
formed of a single species, which might have been included 
in the genus Tringa^ but for the absence of the hind toe ; 
this necessitates its separation from the Sandpipers, with 
which otherwise it exactly agrees. Mr. Yarrell places this 
bird with the Plovers, and says that he has obtained speci- 
mens on our northern and eastern coasts, and in the London 
markets, in the months of January, April, June, at the end of 
August, and again in October ; yet it is not considered to 
breed in this country. The whole length of the adult bird is 
about eight inches ; when in summer plumage it is some- 
times called the Euddy Sandj^iper, on account of the rufous 
tint pervading some parts of its plumage. In this country 
it has several names, such as Curwillet, Towilly, Sand 
Lark, and Ox-bird. Macgillivray gives this account of its 
habits : — - 
The Sanderlings appear in small flocks on our northern coasts, on 
both sides of the island, as early as the beginning of September. 
Their numbers gradually increase until winter, when they are met 
with in all parts ; they collect in small bands^ which frequent the 
sandy shores and muddy estuaries, often mingling with the various 
species of Tringa, but especially with the Dunlins. In searching for 
their food, which consists of small worms, testacea, and sometimes 
insects, they run with rapidity when following the margin of the 
wave, but more sedately under other circumstances, patting and prob- 
ing the soft sand or mud with their bills, which they seldom intro- 
duce to any depth. It is pleasant to watch a flock so occupied, the 
liveliness of the litlle creatures, and their clean and beautiful plu- 
mage, together -wdth the mutual good will and forbearance which 
they exhibit, render - them most agreeable companions. When 
alarmed, they fly off in a body, uttering occasionally a shrill cry, 
move with great rapidity, now all inclining to one side, now to the 
