252 
PRiECOCIAL GRALLATORES — LIMICOLiE. 
Temminck states that the Sanderling is abundant in spring and autumn on the 
coast of Holland, and that it is found on the shores of France and Italy, occurring 
occasionally at Nice and Genoa in every stage of plumage ; and also in the inte- 
rior, on the shores of the Black Sea, etc. Dr. Middendorff includes it in his List 
of the Birds of Siberia, among those that go to the extreme north, and Herr von 
Heuglin met with fldcks of this species in September on Waigat Island, Nova Zembla, 
mingled with hocks of Tringa alpina. 
Reinhardt includes the Sanderling among the birds of Greenland, where he found 
it rare, and breeding on Disco Island. Colonel Sabine, in the Appendix to Parry’s 
“First Voyage,” mentions its breeding in considerable numbers on the North Georgian 
Islands, where several pairs were killed at different periods of the breeding-season. 
Richardson states that it breeds on the coast of Hudson’s Bay as far south as the 
55tli parallel. Hutchins is quoted as stating that it makes nests- of dry grasses in 
the marshes, and as describing the egg as having a dusky -colored ground spotted with 
black, incubation commencing in the middle of June. Professor Newton speaks of 
this species as rare in Greenland, and as said not to breed farther south than latitude 
08° N. ; but its young have been taken at Godthaab. It was found on the east coast 
by Graali, and by the German Expedition on Sabine Island. It is also said to have 
been found breeding in considerable numbers on the Parry Islands. 
Mr. Salvin found the Sanderling in considerable numbers on the Pacific coast 
of Guatemala, and occasionally very abundant ; he also met with a few among the 
bays on the coast of Honduras late in April. Mr. Edward Newton procured a single 
individual at St. Croix, Sept. 13, 1858. Leotaud includes the Sanderling among the 
birds of Trinidad, but states that it is only a rare migratory visitant, occurring in 
small numbers, and only found from August to October. It always stays about the 
borders of the sea, running over and carefully searching the wet sand and mud for 
small worms. Mr. Gould states that it is plentiful in Brazil, from whence he has 
received specimens ; and Mr. H. Durnford mentions procuring two out of a flock at 
Tombo Point, on the coast of Central Patagonia. 
The Sanderling passes south along the coast of Massachusetts from the middle of 
August to the latter part of September, and returns northward in the latter part 
of May. It reaches Lake Koskonong, Wisconsin, about August 15, and in some 
seasons is very abundant there. Professor Snow obtained specimens in Kansas in 
September. It is very common in the spring and fall near Calais, Me. Giraud has 
never observed it in very large numbers in the spring on the shores of Long Island ; 
but, on its return, it arrives in flocks about the middle of August, and by the 1st 
of September has become very abundant. It generally prefers the more immediate 
borders of the ocean, but is often seen occupying, with other small Sandpipers, the 
shoals and mud-flats in the shallow parts of estuaries. It seems to be eminently 
sociable, searching for food in company, probing the sand for small bivalve shells and 
marine worms, or attending the retiring waves in search of shrimps. It is very inter- 
esting to watch its active movements as it feeds along the shore, alternately advancing 
or retreating with the flow of the water. It is naturally very unwary, and is even 
less suspicious than the rest of the family of Tringce. When a flock is fired into, 
the survivors rise with a low whistling note, perform a few evolutions, and presently 
resume their feeding with undiminished confidence. If wounded, it takes to the 
water, and swims well. Later in the season it becomes very fat, and is excellent 
eating. 
It is very abundant on the shores of the Southern Atlantic States, except during 
three or four summer months. The greater number of these birds pass north early 
