THE STINTS. 
2S3 
of the year, are to be observed near the edge of the mud- 
flats on our tidal harbours. 1 he food of the species is similar 
to that of the Dunlins and other small Sandpipers, but Mr. 
Seebohm says that in summer its food also probably comprises 
berries and small ground-fruits. 
The same author has given a most interesting account of the 
taking of the nest of this species, during the expedition to the 
Lower Petchora made by Mr. J. A. Harvie-Brown and himself. 
Mr. Seebohm writes : — “We had walked on together a short 
distance, when I heard the now familiar cry of a Little Stint 
behind me, a sharp wick, almost exactly the same as the cry of 
the Red-necked Phalarope or that of the Sanderhng. Turning 
quickly round, I saw the bird flying past, as if coming up from 
its feeding-grounds j it wheeled round us at some distance and 
alighted on the ground about eighty yards ahead. We walked 
slowly up towards it, and stood for some time watching it 
busily employed in preening its feathers. By-and-bye we sat 
down. It presently began to run towards us, stopping now 
and then to preen a feather or two. Then it turned back a 
few paces, and, lifting its wings, settled down, evidently on its 
nest. We gave it thiee minutes’ grace, to be quite sure, and 
then quietly walked up to the place, and sat down, one on each 
side of the eggs. The bird as quietly slipped off the nest, and 
began to walk about all round us, now and then pecking on 
the ground as if feeding, seldom going more than six feet from 
us, and often approaching within eighteen inches. It was a 
most interesting and beautitul sight, and the tameness of the 
bird was almost ludicrous. We chatted and talked, but the 
bird remained perfectly silent, and did not display the slightest 
symptom of fear or concern, until Houched the eggs; she then 
gave a flutter towards me, apparently to attract my attention. 
I turned towards her, and she resumed her former unconcern. 
I stretched my hand towards her, and she quietly retreated, 
keeping about two feet from my hand. She seemed so ex- 
tremely tame that I almost thought for the moment that I 
could catch her, and getting up on all fours, I crept quietly 
towards her. As soon as I began to move from the nest, her 
manner entirely changed. She kept about the same distance 
ahead of me ; but instead of retreating with the utmost 
apparent nonchalance, she did everything in her power to 
