2 
LITTLE STINT. 
at times during autumn on the hills round the broads in the eastern eounties, I remarked two or three 
small parties in winter plumage resting on one of the hills on Iliekling Broad after a gale of wind and 
rough weather towards the end of September 1879. Dunlins were also present in numbers, together 
with Knots, a few Curlew, and Greenshanks. The tiny Stints, evidently exhausted by the storm, 
presented at a short distanee the appearance of balls of Avhite down as they rested on the dark green 
grass of the hills, their heads turned over on their backs and the feathers of the breast puffed out to 
the fullest extent. 
Previous to the draining of a part of the flats known as the Nook at Rye, these birds were exceedingly 
e ms duim^ autumn ; since 1861, however, when the sea-wall was built, they appear to have 
gradually decreased in the district. At this time of year Stints usually joined in flocks with Curlew 
Sandpipers, and for a season or two both species still continued to resort to the reclaimed land, evidently 
reluctant (though the ground was now sufficiently firm to afford grazing for sheep) to quit entirely the 
vicinity of their old haunts. In September 1800 I obtained many specimens of this species showin" 
autumn plumage on the marshes and on the mudflats round Rye, and remarked a great difference in 
their size and weight. 
A heavy gale of wind from the south and east not unfrcqucntly brings numbers on the coast of 
Sussex so late as Octobei . About the middle of the month, in 1869, Grey Phalaropes, many in the last 
stage of exhaustion, were found for over a week in hundreds along the shore from Shorcham towards the 
west; I also observed several worn-out parties of Stints and Grey Plovers. During the continuation of 
the rough weather Dunlins and other Waders were conspicuous only by their absence. In all probability 
these northern breeders had been on the passage in company from their summer-quarters when overtaken 
by the force of the storm, and driven by the protracted buffetings of the squalls from their accustomed 
course. 
I he fact that Dunlins (especially in autumn and winter plumage) are known in some localities as 
Stints, has, I am of opinion, in many instances led to their having been recorded as specimens of this 
species. 
