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DUNLIN, OR PUR RE.
‘Tringa variabilis, Meyer.

ake
Le Becasseau brunette, ou variable.

In consequence of the remarkable changes to which this Tringa is subjected, it has in its various stages
received several specific appellations, therefore to the one uow generally adopted, variabilis, is attached a
great number of 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 of our coast, where it may be observed congregated in vast flocks, enlivening the bleak
and dreary beach by the celerity with which it runs over the sands, and by its sweeping and vigorous flight,
during which, like many other of its congeners, every individual of the flock, be it ever so numerous, simulta-
neously exposes the upper or under surface of the body, as they sweep along over the surface of the ocean or
across the sands.

On the approach of 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 of the plumage, the uniform
grey of winter being superseded by the more rich colouring, which is represented on our Plate.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 of Dunlin.

When the breeding-season commences the greater portion of these birds leave the sea-shore, and retire
inland to wild heaths and the upland country, availing themselves of every situation on their passage that
affords a suitable retreat for the rearing of their young. They generally select similar spots to those chosen
by the Common Snipe (Scolopaw Gallinago, Linn.), to which bird it assimilates in the whole process of
incubation.

Although the greater number of the Dunlins annually migrate northwards, a few solitary pairs always
remain in the northern portions of 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 sea-coast constitutes their principal place
of residence, they are also found on the banks of inlets and streams, as well as on those of the larger rivers,
both on-the 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 of 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 of availing ourselves of the accurate description published by Mr. Selby,
who has paid great attention to the subject.

“Winter plumage. Crown of the head, hind part of the neck, back, and scapulars ath grey, with a tinge of
hair brown, the shaft of each feather being darker; between the bill and the eye an indistinct line of brown ;
eye-streak and cheeks white, streaked with pale hair-brown ; chin and throat white ; lower part of the neck
and breast grey, the shafts of the feathers hair-brown ; under surface pure white ; wing-coverts hair-brown
margined with pale ash grey, the larger ones having white tips ; rump and es fail-coverts ce? bao
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 of the head black, each feather margined an meduish baowal; chin white ;
cheeks, fore part of the neck and breast black, with the feathers deeply margined with white, sons a
parts a beautifully spotted appearance ; under surface black ; flanks and side-coverts of the a on : o
with black; back part of the neck, mantle, and scapulars black, each feather deeply marginec es oe
reddish brown; lower part of the back and upper tail-coverts brownish black; wing-coverts as in the winter
eo ‘ 1 with yellowish brown; upper surface

‘Immature plumage. Head blackish brown, each feather edgec with ye ee a bi Pl ee
exhibiting a mixture of the pale grey feathers that marks the winter es a fe y Cie es
feathers ; cheeks and sides of the neck pale brown mixed yah grey ; breast grey spotted with black ; y
with large black spots; vent and under tail-coverts white. ae ee

The Plate represents two adults, one in the winter and the other in the summer plumage,