DUNLIN, OR PURRE.
T r in g a variabilis, Mey e r.
L e Beca sseau brun ette, ou variable .
In consequence o f the remarkable changes to which this Tringa is subjected, it has in its various stages
received several specific appellations, therefore to the one now generally adopted, variabilis, is attached a
great number o f synonyms.
In its winter or grey dress it is called the Purre, and it is at this season that it is most plentifully distributed
along the whole line o f our coast, where it may be observed congregated in vast docks, enlivening the bleak
and dreary beach by the celerity with which it runs over the sands, and by its sweeping and vigorous dight,
during which, like many other o f its congeners, every individual o f the dock, be it ever so numerous, simulta^
neously exposes the upper or under surface o f the body, as they sweep along over the surface o f the ocean or
across the sands.
On the approach o f spring, the great mass which have wintered in the British Islands retire northwards to
breed. At this period a strongly contrasted change takes place in the colouring o f the plumage, the uniform
grey o f winter being superseded by the more rich colouring, which is represented on our Plate. It is in this
latter state that it is known by the name o f Dunlin.
When the breeding-season commences the greater portion o f these birds leave the sea-shore, and retire
inland to wild heaths and the upland country, availing themselves o f every situation on their passage that
affords a suitable retreat for the rearing o f their young. They generally select similar spots to those chosen
by the Common Snipe (Scolopax Gallimgo, Linn.), to which bird it assimilates in the whole process o f
incubation.
Although the greater number o f the Dunlins annually migrate northwards, a few solitary pairs always
remain in the northern portions o f England and Scotland; in the Orkney and Shetland Islands they are still
more abundant, and their numbers gradually increase as we proceed further north, until we arrive at the
Arctic Circle.
On the Continent the Dunlin is as abundant as it is with us, being universally dispersed and subjected to the
same natural laws. We would here also mention, that although the seiwoast constitutes their principal place
o f residence, they are also found on the banks o f inlets and streams, as well as on those o f the larger rivers,
both ofrthe Continent and in our islands.
The nest is merely a depression in the ground, lined with a few straws or dried grasses : the eggs, four in
number, are of a greenish grey, spotted all over with reddish brown.
The food consists o f worms, insects, mollusca, and the small Crustacea, which it obtains by following the
ebb-tide.
The great changes which the Dunlin undergoes rendering it necessary to describe the summer, winter, and
immature plumage, we take the liberty o f availing ourselves o f the accurate description published by Mr. Selby,
who has paid great attention to the subject.
“ Winter plumage. Crown o f the head, hind part of the neck, back, and scapulars ash grey, with a tinge o f
hair brown, the shaft o f each feather being darker; between the bill and the eye an indistinct line o f brown;
eye-streak and cheeks white, streaked with pale hair-brown ; chin and throat white; lower part o f the neck
and breast grey, the shafts o f the feathers hair-brown ; under surface pure white; wing-coverts hair-brown
margined with pale ash grey, the larger ones having white tip s; rump and upper tail-coverts deep brown
margined with paler; two middle tail-feathers deep brown, the rest on each side grey, with white shafts;
bill black; legs and toes blackish grey.
“ Summer plumage. Crown o f the head black, each feather margined with reddish brown; chin white;
cheeks, fore part o f the neck and breast black, with the feathers deeply margined with white, giving these
parts a beautifully spotted appearance; under surface black; flanks and side-coverts o f the tail white, streaked
with black; back part o f the neck, mantle, and scapulars black, each feather deeply margined with clear
reddish brown; lower part o f the back and upper tail-coverts brownish black; wing-coverts as in the winter
plumage.
“ Immature plumage. Head blackish brown, each feather edged with yellowish brown ; upper surfece
exhibiting a mixture o f the pale grey feathers that mark the winter plumage with the darker, or nestling
feathers ; cheeks and sides o f the neck pale brown mixed with grey ; breast grey spotted with b lack; belly white
with large black spots; vent and under tail-coverts white.”
The Plate represents two adults, one in the winter and the other in the summer plumage, o f the natural size.