TEMMINCK'S STINT.
TBINGA TEMMINCKI.
NonroLK anil Sussex arc the only counties in which I have met with opportunities for observing this
elegant little Sanilpiper; the species, however, judging from the numbers occasionally seen, is by no
means so rare as is generally sup|Kjseil,
Though this Stint resorts commonly to the saltwater mndflfits and the hanks of tidal rivers, it is
seldom, if ever, found on the sands of the sea-shore or the open coast-line. Unlike Triuga mi/tula, which
frequently associates with Hocks of Curlew Sandpipers, Dunlins, anil others of the family, feeding and flying
off with them when alarmed, this Stint appears to prefer the society of its own species. 1 repeatedly
reiuarkcd that small parties resting or feeding at no great distance from, or even intermixed with, other
Waders would put company at once when driven up.
I have noticed hut few individuals during spring and summer, the course by which this species makes
its way towards the breeding-grounds in the far north lying probably to the cast of the British Islands.
Early in May 1S73 two or three single birds, that rose from the marsh-dykes or the pools of water on
the hills, were met with about llickling Broad in the cast of Norfolk. Though unable to procure a
specimen, the birds in every instance springing unexpectedly while working the punt, I was sufficiently
close to ascertain that all appeared to exhibit the dark dress of the breeding-season. On the 2jlh of
July, ISJTS, the diminutive size of a Wader running actively along the edge of one of the mudflats in
Shorebam Harbour attracted my attention, and on shooting the bird it proved to be a male of this species
in the dark slimmer plumage. Its actions while feeding on the oo/.e by the water-side much resembled
those of the Common Sandpiper; the light and wavering Might when on wing, however, at once proclaimed
the species. During August and September a few Temininch's Stints (for the most part exhibiting
immature plumage) arc commonly to he seen frequenting the harbour and the saltings for a mile or so up
the river Adur.
I haie seldom been on Brcydon MUDFLATS during autumn without noticing several of these Stints;
they fly, however, for the most part singly or in small parties, ami are extremely likely to escape observation.
A few extracts from my notes for 1*72 will show the regularity with which, at certain states or tide, the
various species that frequent the Hals approach their feeding-grounds. On the 2nd of September, while
stationed in the punts at "The Lamps," a light-coloured Slinf, evidently in immature plumage, settled
about a hundred yards lower down the run; the boat, however, hid taken the ground, and the bird was
again on wing la-fore a chance for a shot occurred. In the expectation that it would revisit the spot at
the same time of tide on the 3rd, I was on the look-nut, and the muds were no sooner exposed than it
flew round, alighting after a couple of turns. A juvenile Book, feeding on dead lish and other refuse by the
water-side, instantly made a swoop at ami drove up the small stranger. This portion of the lints appeared
to possess some strange attraction for the species, as, after a short flight, the bird again approached and,