2 
PURPLE SANDPIPER. 
During the heavy easterly gale that broke over the Norfolk coast on the 11th November, 1872, and 
continued without intermission for the five following days, I repeatedly remarked small parties running round 
the pools of rain-water on the drive at the south end of Yarmouth, just opposite the Nelson monument! There 
wore also several single birds, or pairs, seeking what shelter they could obtain about the wooden landing-stages 
111 the harbour. On one occasion (November 2, 1872), wlieii going on board a steamboat from the north side 
of the river close to the pier, I noticed that two or three, which were pecking about on the seaweed and slime 
collected on the steps, only fluttered a yard or two on to some of the adjoining piles. 
On both the Pass and the Isle of May, and many of tlie small rocky islands (Ebris in particular) in the Firth 
of Forth, I remarked a few of these birds at almost all seasons running fearlessly on the ledges close to the water’s 
edge, making way but a few yards wlien approached. Along the Sussex coast these birds resort at times durin- 
autumn and winter to the salt-water creeks and inlets to the west of Brighton, though their favourite quarters in 
this locality appear to bo tbe pools and small channels among the blocks of chalk scattered broadcast below the 
c 1 s between Brighton and Rottingdean. Here seaweeds of various kinds grow strong and rank, harbourin- a 
constant supply of their natural food. At one piece of water only (a brackish pool just inside the ridc^e^of 
shingle that holds back the gradually encroaching waves between Shoreham and Worthing) have I met with 
this species engaged seeking for food unless in the immediate wash of the salt water. 
I he Vinter plumage exhibits a decided purple or, rather, a neutral-tint shade, the rich red-brown on the 
back, as well as the gloss, having entirely vanished. The colouring of the legs and beak, especially in the 
younger birds, is more dingy than in summer, and the general appearance is by no means so conspicuous or 
The food of this species, according to my own observation, must bo procured for the most part if not 
entirely, from parts of the coast exposed to the iniluenee of salt water, small crawling insects and minute 
Crustacea probably forming the chief part of their diet. Though I have repeatedly watched large numbers 
while busily engage hunting for a meal on the dripping rocks at the distance of only a few yards, the prey 
t ley captured was in almost every instance so diminutive as to escape detection by the naked eye. 
