334 
SANDPIPERS AND PURRES. 
The four last genera of this Table form nearly the most . 
obscure and difficult division in the whole arrangement of 
birds : running one into another, by shades so slight and 
variable, that it is almost impossible to trace any positive 
line of distinction. They comprise, under the scientific 
names of Tringa, Charadrius, Numenius, and Scolopax, the 
tribes of birds known under the more familiar appellations 
of Sandpipers, Purres, Plovers, Phalaropes, Curlews, Wood- 
cocks, &c. 
Amongst the Sandpipers and Purres, we find those busy, 
active flocks of little birds, which so often enliven a saunter- 
ing walk along the rocks and shores of the ever-ebbing and 
flowing sea. There they may he seen, now running inces- 
santly with a light tripping motion, up and down, and here 
and there, in search of shrimps, sea- worms, or small shell- 
fish ; and then, particularly if approached too near, taking 
flight at the same instant, with a whirring, whizzing sound, 
and a loudish whistling cry, reminding us, by their sudden 
changes in flight, and shades of colour, of our friends the 
Starlings ; at one moment appearing as a little dark cloud, if 
their hacks are presented, and then in an instant almost 
dazzling the eye with the bright white of their under delicate 
plumage, occasioned by an instantaneous turn of their bodies ; 
and then again seeming almost to disappear, as they dart 
along with their wings edgeways towards the eye. It is 
impossible to watch the flight of these merry, sociable little 
birds, without pronouncing them to he a happy race, with 
all the enjoyments and few of the cares of life. The skulk- 
ing, solitary gunner, who prowls about the shore, appears to 
he their only enemy ; and, conscious of their power of keep- 
ing aloof, they seem to treat him with indifference. 
Some species of these birds, such as the Eing-Dotterel, or 
Sea-Lark, have advantages over other birds, with respect to 
their young, on the appearance of danger being enabled to 
carry them out of harm’s way. There can he no doubt of 
this curious fact. One of these birds was seen on a rocky 
shore in Anglesey, running over a sandy patch a few yards 
off, accompanied by two young ones. On finding herself 
