238 
Allen’s naturalist’s library. 
portions of the Irish coast it is met with in winter, and I found 
it, still in small flocks, on May 15th, in Co. Donegal.” 
Range ontside the British Islands — -The Purple Sandpiper occurs, 
and probably breeds, throughout the Arctic Regions, retiring only 
for a comparatively short distance southwards in winter, though 
some visit at this season of the year the Mediterranean countries 
and the Azores ; and in the New World it occurs on the Great 
Lakes and the Atlantic coasts of North America as far south 
as the Bermudas. Even in Western Scandinavia it is found in 
winter as well as in summer. 
Hahits. — Of these Mr. Seebohm gives the following account : 
“ Unlike most of its congeners, the Purple Sandpiper 
loves a rocky coast, a bold shore where the rocks gradually 
shelve down into the water or are left exposed in huge 
masses at low tide. It is not often seen on a low sandy 
beach ; but the wide, almost interminable, mud-flats which 
have such a charm for most wading birds, are occa- 
sionally frequented by the Purple Sandpiper. It visits the 
coast in little parties ; but now and then a solitary bird is met 
with, which will sometimes join a flock of Dunlins or other 
small Waders. In many of its habits the Purple Sandpiper 
differs considerably from its congeners. It loves to frequent 
the shore when the waves are dashing over the rocks, and to 
seek for its food, literally surrounded by the spray. Nimbly the 
little creature trips, sure-footed over the wet, slippery rocks, 
exulting in the wild strife of the waters, and appearing every 
moment as though the huge angry waves would overwhelm it. 
Tightly it clings to the boulders until each succeeding wave 
has broken, when its active search commences. When the 
gale is at its height it shuns the shore, or seeks safety and 
shelter amongst the rocks at high-water mark ; and Saxby 
states that in Shetland he has known it to take refuge under 
the lee of a wall, and to feed within a few yards of his house. 
“ The Purple Sandpiper is a very tame little bird, often allow- 
ing the observer to approach to within a few feet as it stands 
on the shore. Sometimes it is flushed with difiiculty, or merely 
contents itself with running along the shore Just out of arm’s 
length. Saxby states that it is an excellent swimmer, and that 
he has seen as many as three or four in calm weather swim- 
