o 
DUNLIN. 
removing a couj)lc of eggs tliat remained unbroken in a nest on tlie flat moors of Caithness, that one of the 
keepers put liis foot upon while we Avere AAatching the movements of tlie Arctic Skuas breeding on the floes. 
liile making observations in Caithness and collecting in that and the adjoining county of Sutherland, 1 
leceiAmd great assistance from the late ]Mr. W. Dunbar, who hired a great extent of ground for sporting-purposes 
in that part of the county. During a residence of two or three Aveeks at Strathmore Lodge, I noticed that in 
the CA^ening Dunlins Avere repeatedly seen on the laAvn in front of the house, which Avas unenclosed towards the 
open moor-land. On every occasion they were in attendance on one or tAvo Golden Plovers, standing on the 
sliort green turf about a yard behind. On account of this curious habit of folloAving the Golden Plover, 
aligliting at the same time and retaining their position if an advance was made, I ascertained they Avere knoAvn 
in this i)art of the country by the name of the “ Plover’s Page”*. 
Dunlins do not show a partiality for the Norfolk freshwater Broads, but few, except on rare occasions, 
Aisiting these localities, the absence of the food on A\ hich they usually subsist being doubtless the cause of a 
move being made to other quarters. I can find but one or two entries in my notes Avherc the species is 
referred to during the many years spent on Ilickling Broad, Ileigham Sounds, and the adjoining pieces of 
Avater, and m only one instance arc they mentioned as being met Avith in considerable numbers. 
“ April 28, 1883. A cold breeze from the east-south-east. Grasshopper Warblers heard for the first time 
in the season, and lling-Oiizels observed. The Avhole of the Buffs and Beeves were gathered together on one 
of the hills, and proved utterly unapproachable. There were many Black Terns, exhibiting a great difference 
in plumage, and also several Common Terns beating about over the Avater; Greenshanks, Curlew, and Whimbrel 
Avere flying round in small parties or singly, and for the first time on this Broad a large flock of Dunlins 
attracted my attention, SAveeping in a cloud here and there over the Avater, and finally alighting on the grassy 
point of ‘ Swimeoats.’ There were swarms of various species of Waders and Terns, and all proved exceedino-ly 
unsuspicious of danger with the exception of the Buffs and Beeves, which rose on wing at once if the punt 
approached their quarters.” ^ 
In the summer of 1873 I witnessed a rather amusing misliap that befol a juvenile of this species on 
Breydon mudflats ; and a short cxtiuct from my notes will give an account of the affair : 
“ August 11, 1873. Wind west. While watching some young Dunlins running about, feeding in the 
shallow water about the • lumps • within ten yards of the punt, I noticed one make an attempt to rise on win., 
mt was immediately dragged down again by a large coekle firmly fixed on to one of its toes. The poor 
little bird flapped helplessly on the surface of the water for about a minute, but succeeded in getting free lust as 
I ai lived on the spot, liaA'ing left tlie boat to render assistance.” 
The first yi^r that the preservation of Waders and other species came in force I was on Breydon, and the 
effect It had on the birds gathered together on the mudflats was remarkable. A short extract from mv notes 
refers to the subject ; — ^ 
“ Up Breydon soon after daylight witli the flood-tide. There were a few Grev 
lovers in the intermediate stage betAveen winter and summer plumage, tlieir breasts speckled Avitli black and 
Av iite. There Avas also a flock of about tAVO hundred Dunlins intermixed Avith a feAv Bino-ed Plover as Avell as 
half a dozen Sanderlings, which kept together. These little AYaders (thanks to the new Act) Avere perfectly fearless 
alloAving us to work the punt up Avithin a few yards. Nearly all were resting on one leg, with the head covered 
with the feathers of the back, and only moved off a few yards on the approach of the punt ; Avhile crossino- the 
smaller drains they still kept the leg drawn up, and on alighting again immediately settled to repose.” 
On the following day. May 9th, there were again immense numbers of Dunlins, Binged Plovers and a few 
Sanderlings. A Dunlin suddenly startled from sleep hopped such a distance that I almost became convinced he 
must be wounded, till at last, Avhen at a distance of about three yards from the side of the punt, he faced round 
and, producing the missing leg, lowered his neck and deliberately scratched the back of his head'. 
* I never noticed this behaviour elsewhere ; the name of Plover’s Page is, however, mentioned in several ornithological works. 
