SANDERLING. 
73 
constructed expressly for it, and from which it has been, unsys- 
tematically, removed. 
The history of this species has little in it to excite our interest 
or attention. It makes its appearance on our seacoasts early in 
September; continues during the greater part of winter; and on 
the approach of spring, returns to the northern regions to breed. 
While here it seems perpetually busy running along the wave-worn 
strand, following the flux and reflux of the surf, eagerly picking up 
its food from the sand amid the roar of the ocean. It flies in nu- 
merous flocks, keeping a low meandering course along the ridges 
of the breakers. On alighting, the whole scatter about after 
the receding wave, busily picking up those minute bivalves already 
described. As the succeeding wave returns it bears the whole 
of them before it in one crowded line ; then is the moment seized 
by the experienced gunner to sweep them in flank with his de- 
structive shot. The flying survivors, after a few aerial meanders, 
again alight, and pursue their usual avocation as busily and uncon- 
cernedly as before. These birds are most numerous on extensive 
sandy beaches in front of the ocean. Among rocks, marshes, or 
stones covered with sea-weed, they seldom make their appearance. 
The Sanderling is eight inches long, and fourteen inches in 
extent; the bill is black, an inch and a quarter in length, slender, 
straight, fluted along the upper mandible, and exactly formed like 
that of the Sandpiper ; the head, neck above, back, scapulars and 
tertials are gray white ; the shafts blackish, and the webs tinged 
with brownish ash ; shoulder of the wing black ; greater coverts 
broadly tipt with white ; quills black, crossed with a transverse 
band of white ; the tail extends a little beyond the wings, and is of 
a grayish ash color, edged with white, the two middle feathers 
being about half an inch longer than the others ; eye dark hazel ; 
whole lower parts of the plumage pure white ; legs and naked part 
of the thighs black; feet three-toed, each divided to its origin and 
bordered with a narrow membrane. 
VOL. VII. 
T 
