TEMMINCK’S stint — CURLEW SANDPIPER — RUFF SANDERLING. 
155 
TEjNIMINCK’S stint. Tringa temmincici (Leisler). 
Mr. Macaulay recorded (‘Mid. Nat.,’ 1882, p. 78): — “ A specimen of this bird 
was shot at Saddington Reservoir, in 1860, by Rev. H. Marriott. The bird was 
seen and identified by Rev. A. Matthews.” This statement, after being copied 
into many publications, unfortunately proves to be an error, for, suspecting the 
bird might be referrible to the previous species, I wrote to the Rev. Henry Marriott, 
now Rector of Tbrussington, who, replying on 2nd January, 1888, most kindly 
sent me the identical specimen to examine. The first glance shewed me that it 
was a Little Stint in immature plumage ; and, indeed, Mr. Marriott himself 
wrote: — “I have always been under the impression that the bird in question is 
only the Little Stint,” and again : — “ I am not, myself, in any way responsible for 
the error.” This is, therefore, another instance of “ a good bird gone wrong,” and 
Temminck’s Stint must be erased from the Leicestershire fauna. 
To prevent similar mistakes I may, without giving all the points of differ- 
ence, point out one unerring test by which the two closely-allied species may be 
distinguished in any stage of •plumage : Temminck’s Stint has the outer 
toii-feathers pure white. Little Stint has those feathers ashy hroivn. 
CURLEW SANDPIPER. Tringa suharquata (A. J. Giildenstadt). 
“ Curlew-billed Sandpiper,” “ Pigmy Curlew.” 
A spring and autumn visitant to Britain. — Its occurrence in the county rests 
upon the vague statement of Harley, who wrote : — “ The appearance of this species 
of Tringa in the county, I am enabled to record on the testimony of a sportsman 
resident at Loughborough, who shot one on the banks of the Soar.” 
RUFF. Machetes pugnax (Linmeus). 
“ Reeve ” (the female). 
A spring and autumn migrant to Britain, not remaining to breed as formerly. 
— I am happy in being able to add this hitherto locally-unrecarded bird to the 
present list, the first specimen having fallen to the gun of Mr. A. K. Perkins, 
at Saddington Reservoir, on 19th Aug., 1887. It was kindly presented to the 
Museum by the fortunate sportsman, and proved, on dissection, to be a female ; 
weights! oz. nearly; total length, including bill and tail, 975 inches, bill (on 
culmen) 1-25, along gape US, wing (carpus to end of longest primary) 6'2, leg 
(tarsus) U6, tail 27. Colour of bill bluish-horn colour, the lower mandible being 
lighter and reddish at base ; eyes very dark brown ; legs and toes dusky-greenish 
with ochreous-brown, clearer grey near thigh ; claws dark brown. 
SANDERLING. Galidris arenaria (Linnaeus). 
A rare straggler from the coast, where it is common in winter. — Some years 
since, according to Harley, who examined them, three or four birds of this 
species were shot near the Reservoir in Charnwood Forest, 
