72 
SANDERLING. 
CALIDEIS JIRENJIRM. 
[Plate LIX. — Fig. 4.] 
Tringa arenaria, Gmel. Syst. 680 . — ArcU Zool. p. 486, M'o, 403 . — Le Sanderling, Buff. 
VII, 532. — Bewick, II, 19. — Lath. Syn. 3,/). 197, No, 4. — Ind. Orn,p, 741, No. 4. — 
Calidris grisea minor, Briss. 5, p, 236, pL 20, jig. 2. — Temm. Man, d^Om, p, 524. — 
Peale’s Museum, No, 42(54. 
IN this well known bird we have another proof of the imper- 
fection of systematic arrangement, where no attention is paid to 
the general habits ; but where one single circumstance is some- 
times considered sufficient to determine the genus to which a spe- 
cies belongs. The genus Plover is characterized by several strong 
family traits, one of which is that of wanting the hind toe. The 
Sandpipers have also their peculiar external characters of bill, ge- 
neral form, 8cc., by which they are easily distinguished from the 
former. The present species, tho possessing the bill, general 
figure, manners and voice of the Sandpipers, feeding in the same 
way, and associating with these in particular ; yet, wanting the 
hind toe, has been classed by many with the Plovers, with whom, 
this single circumstance excepted, it has no one characteristic in 
common. 
We had almost resolved to place this bird with the Tringse, 
lor the reasons above detailed ; but, after due reflection, it seemed 
proper that the authority of so excellent a naturalist as Illiger 
sliould have its weight, especially as the species, according to the 
arrangement of Latham, presents an anomaly, which the present 
advanced state of natural science must reject. Hence we have ta- 
ken the liberty of returning tliis bird to the niche which was 
