72 
TRINGA ARENARIA, 
SUBGENUS III. CALIDRIS, ILLIGER. 
223 . TRINGA ARENARIA , LINN. CHARADRIUS CALIDRIS, WILS, 
SANDERLING PLOVER. 
WILSON, PLATE LIX. FIG. IV. WINTER DRESS. 
In this well known bird we have another proof of 
the imperfection of systematic arrangement, where no 
attention is paid to the general habits, bnt where one 
single circumstance is sometimes considered sufficient 
to determine the species. The genus plover is charac- 
terized by several strong family traits, one of which is 
that of wanting the hind toe. The sandpipers have 
also their peculiar external characters of hill, general 
form, &c. by which they are easily distinguished from 
the former. The present species, though possessing 
the bill, general figure, manners, and voice of the sand- 
pipers, feeding in the same way, and associating with 
these in particular, yet wanting the hind toe, has been 
classed with the plovers, with whom, this single cir- 
cumstance excepted, it has no one characteristic in 
common. Though we have not, in the present instance, 
presumed to alter this arrangement, yet it appears 
both reasonable and natural that, where the specific 
characters in any bird seem to waver between two 
species, the figure, voice, and habits of the equivocal 
one, should always be taken into consideration, and 
be allowed finally to determine the class to which it 
belongs. Had this rule been followed in the present 
instance, the bird we are now about to describe would 
have undoubtedly been classed with the sandpipers. 
The history of this species has little in it to excite 
our interest or attention. It makes its appearance on 
our sea coasts 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 
