THE PURPLE SANDPIPER. 
211 
the flocks seldom being sufficiently large to be worth following, 
even when I would gladly have procured a ’ dozen or two for 
the table. I much regret this, it having only lately come to my 
knowledge that another species, or very distinct variety, is sup- 
posed to exist in some parts of Scotland. It appears to be the 
rule that in the case of a mere undersized variety of a bird, the 
bill, tarsi, and feet are nearly if not quite of the ordinary length; 
but with the Dunlin those parts are decidedly smaller in the 
smaller birds. AU my Shetland specimens are of average size. 
In Orkney and Shetland this little bird is known as the 
“ Plover Page,” from the frequency with which it is seen in com- 
pany with Golden Plovers, feeding with them, flying with them, 
and attending them in all their movements. Usually but one 
bird attaches itself to a flock. 
In open weather in winter, or early spring, small parties, 
quitting the shores, will betake themselves to the hills, which 
at those seasons abound with small streams and swampy patches, 
and there, if undisturbed, they will remain until the time arrives 
for them to pair off. 
THE PUEPLE SANDPIPER 
Tringa maritima. 
STANE-PECKER. 
Messrs Baikie and Heddle refer to this species as if it were 
rather uncommon in Orkney, observing that it ‘'not unfrequently 
appears” during winter, at the same time mentioning a speci- 
men preserved in the Kirkwall Museum. Mr Dunn records 
that it “ is very numerous in Shetland and Orkney, appearing- 
early in the spring, and leaving again in the latter end of April.” 
From my own experience in the matter, I can safely assert that, 
from the beginning of October to the beginning of May, it is by 
far the commonest of the Shetland Sandpipers, and, it may be 
added, from its tameness, the most interesting. Its habits' are 
best observed upon a lee shore after a breeze of sufficient strength 
