G R A L L A T O R E S . ' - ' SC Ö ZO PAC ID2E .
T H E D U N L IN .
Tringa alpina, ' Dunlin, Sandpiper,
; „ cinclus, P u rr e ,,
,, alpina, The D unlin,'
, , cinclus, „ . P u rre ,
! t a lp in a , ‘ t „ .Dunlins, ~
•f »/. , cinclus, ,, P u rr e ,,;
„ alpina, D u n lin ,
variabilis, Dimilin or P u rre ,
„ j ,, , or. P u rre , -
Jt ^ ,, Becasseau brunette,
Penn. Biit. Zool, vol. ü. p.-92Ti -
• „ „ „ „ p. 94.
MoNT.._Órnith.
.'Bewick, ’Brit. Birds, vol. ii, p. 110.
" „ , p- m . . .
Flem. Blit, An. 'p. 103. .
Selby, Brit.' Ornith.'Vol^^pvl^R^
JESYNS^Brit^yert. p. 209.'
, Gou.ld, Birds of Europe, pt. xviii.
T emm. Man. d’Omrth. vol.'in p. 612.
I t will be observed by the first three pair of names here
quoted, from Pennant, Montagu, and Bewick, that the Sandpiper
called, the Dunlin was long considered to - be distinct
from that called the Purre, though in reality these names referred
only to the summer and winter appearance of the same
bird. The changes of plumage, however, in this species became'known
to Montagu previous to the publication of the
Supplement to his Ornithological Dictionary, and the subject
has received further illustration from M. Temmihck and Mr.
Selby. To avoid;the perplexity which had attended the'
double nomenclature of Tringa alpina and Tringa cinclus:
for one; species, M. Meyer,, an: Ornithologist of Germany,
proposed- to call it Tringa ^variabilis, frorfiHliei great difference
observed in its plumage at different : seasons of the
year, arid this name appears -likelyfito: gain almost universal
adoption. ■
This species, known'all round our coast: by some one or
more oh> the? following^ names :—v i ^ Dunlin, Purtfe| (Sir
Thomas Brownb writea^il, Churr^) Stint, Ox-bird,^ Sea -Snipe,:
&<^is the most common as welLasthe most numerous of all:
the Sandpipers, frequenting our shores, and may her seen, there
th’jfejughout. the ■year? except;for a short time-at their breeding,
season ; 'nor^is it very often seen inland.’ at any other period.
During autumn, particularly, .when• theiparent birds return to:
fftir'marine locaKies aridr axe joined by their broods of ther
year; imme^Ie^jfl^ek# of., these Dunlins: may be seen busily
employed close to the edge of the; sea, searching and probing
for thee'minute animals upon which they'feed. They;frd?
quent sandy, flats an debars'' that project into the s e a t h e y
are observed; to -be incessantly upon the move, shifting their
ground perpetually, running nimbly along, or taking short
flights from place titiplace, frequently wading tolfollow the;
aquatic insects,'worms, mollusca, and the'smaller1 thin skinned
Crustacea; which: are put in motion by ■every receding wave?
I f disturbed, the whole- flock take wing together, and wheeling
' along~in half circles near the'; edge or the surface of; the
water, each bird exhibits ‘ alternately a dark or light appearance:
to the observer, as the upper or under side of its1 body
happens ltd be turned towards him.
During winter many dozens * are shohdor the table, on vark