Calidris arenaria (Linn.).
SANDEELING.
CALIDRIS A R E N ARIA {Urm.).
Tringa arenaria, Linn. S. N. i. p. 251 (1766).
Calidris arenaria, Naum. vii. p. 353, xiii. p. 231; Macg. iv.
p. 237; Yarr. ed. 4, iii. p. 420; Dresser, viii. p. 101.
Sanderling variable, French ; Sanderling, German ; Chur-
rilla, Spanish.
This species is tolerably common on the double
passage on many parts of our coast, generally appearing
early in August and remaining till cold weather sets in,
reappearing in April, and often lingering till the end of
May, or even later, upon the hard sands of our shores.
I have met with the Sanderling in small flocks almost
throughout the Mediterranean, and in many parts of
our own Islands, but do not recollect to have ever seen
it on the tidal muds that present attractions to the
great majority of the family of Waders. Occasionally,
but in my personal experience rarely, a few Sanderlings
may be found associating with Dunlins and Knots, but
I have generally met with them in companies composed
solely of their own species, varying in number from a
dozen to perhaps thirty or forty. With the exception