58 
SANDERLLTO. 
but only in limited numbers; most are seen in the spring 
and autumn. It has been noticed as late as the last week 
in May. 
In Scotland it is also known. Charles St. John, Esq. 
records it as occurring in Sutherlandshire; Sir William Jardine 
on the banks of the Solway Firth; and the late William 
Thompson, Esq., of Belfast, in Ireland. 
This species occasionally visits Orkney during winter, or 
early in spring. It has been observed at Scapa, at Orphir, 
and in Hoy. 
It breeds in the north, but some have been met with here 
in the summer season, as, for instance, in the Mull of Cantyre 
on the 2nd. of June. It migrates in April, and in August 
or September, and is related to do so in the night, and 
principally along the sea-shores, or across the sea itself. 
Possibly those which are met with here in the former of the 
two latter months, as well as others, may have been with us, 
in some part of the island, all the year. 
They go in small flocks, and also consort, not unusually, 
with the Dunlin, as also occasionally with the smaller of the 
Plovers, but this seemingly when their own numbers are few, 
keeping with them on the ground, and accompanying them 
in their flights. They sometimes however assemble in flocks 
of several hundred individuals, and then their own company 
sufflces them. If forced by any sudden alarm to separate, 
they re-unite again as speedily as they can. They are very 
sociable and friendly birds, gentle and pleasing, and are easily 
kept in confinement; neither in their wild state are they at 
all shy, but quietly permit a near approach. They are very 
active and busy in their motions, running about much, with 
ease and swiftness, over the same ground, in search of food. 
They roost frequently in a sitting position. 
The flight of the Sanderling is both graceful and strong, 
and when the bird moves from place to place it follows the 
course of the shore, a little above the surface of the water. 
‘When it alights it sails a short distance, and then flutters 
a little before touching the ground in order to break its 
descent.’ 
They move about, when feeding, in a horizontal position, 
the head and neck lowered, and the former drawn very close 
in upon the shoulders: they run very swiftly. 
They feed on small marine worms, insects, and larvae, to 
be found on the beach, which they procure by probing with 
