208 
SCOLOPACIDi^:. 
remained since spring, — but they are very seldom observed in 
winter. On their arrival they are exceedingly tame, so that it 
is not at all difficult to approach within half-a-dozen yards of 
them upon the open shore ; but they soon become suspicious, 
and when once fairly roused fly high and wildly, wheeling over 
the ground many times before alighting. They are mostly met 
with in small parties of about a dozen, but occasionally several 
of these parties join, and continue in company for days together. 
Whatever may be the case elsewhere, in Slietland they seem to 
prefer gravelly to sandy or muddy places, the attraction no 
doubt consisting in the myriads of small periwinkles which are 
found below high-water mark in the former situations. Knots 
generally keep close together while feeding ; and when a few 
occasionally stray apart, they seem to become suddenly aware 
of the fact, and hastily return to the main body. As far as I 
can ascertain, it is their custom to feed silently, but the moment 
an intruder is perceived, they, without interrupting their em- 
ployment, set up a continuous low chattering, not unlike that 
made by a flock of Starlings; and when too closely approached, 
they stand motionless for a few seconds and then fly off, uttering 
louder cries. Very often they alight close to their dead or 
wounded companions, not taking wing until the shooter is 
within a few steps of them, and even then they are nearly sure 
to settle again close to the same spot. When wounded, these 
birds will crouch and hide if they happen to fall upon land, 
and, as in the case of the Curlew Sandpiper, stones thrown at 
them only cause them to crouch still closer; but on falling into 
the water they use every effort to escape, swimming remarkably 
well, though I am not aware that they dive on such occasions. 
When they drop into the water, they avoid turning their back to 
the wind, a strong gust being very likely to catch them under the 
wings and plunge the fore part of the body beneath the surface. 
The plumage suffers less from immersion than that of most other 
Sandpipers. At all times, but more especially during flight, 
the white upper tail coverts are conspicuous. 
