284 
SCOLOPACID^. 
pluBopus). The very small rudimentary membrane between the base 
of the middle and outer toe, mentioned by Temminck as the chief 
character on which it has been raised to the rank of a genus by MM. 
Koch and Naumann,* is a most trivial distinction, it being in the least 
degree only more developed than in the Tringa variabilis and T. sub- 
arguata. Except in the head and bill, the whole bird is in form and 
plumage an ordinary-looking Tringa. 
In the continental countries south of our latitude in which this 
species has been met with, it is considered very rare, nor was it 
known to be otherwise in the north of Europe until Mr. Dann 
lately visited Norway and Lapland for the purpose of studying 
the birds which frequent those countries in the breeding-season. 
In some places he found this Tringa to be by no means un- 
common, and to Mr. YarreU^s beautiful work on ^British Birds ^ 
(vol. ii. p. 638) he contributed a full and admirable account of 
its habits, which were before unknown : — the figure of the bird in 
that work is most characteristic. Temminck mentions specimens 
having been sent from Borneo, Sumatra, and Timor. 
THE PIGMY CUELEW. 
Curlew Sandpiper. 
Tringa subarquata, Temm. 
Scolopax „ Gmel. 
Is a regular autumnal migrant to the north of Ireland; — 
where in winter it is of very rare occurrence. 
This gracefully-formed species is characterized in the latest works 
of authority as a ^‘^rare visitant to Great Britain. Notes con- 
nected with it in Belfast Bay for above twenty-five years are 
before me. Erom these it appears, as with the Grallatores gene- 
rally, that September is its favourite month in that locality. The 
earliest arrival noted is the 25th of August : before the end of 
September its departure is occasionally taken, and it rarely re- 
mains until the end of October. 
* See ‘ Wirbelthiere Europas,’ p. 77. 
