. The aquatic birds of Great Britain and Ireland . straight, so that a passing flockwill not display the same fantastic aerial patterns as areexhibited by many other shore-birds, notably by Dunlins,[n winter the Sanderling is easily recognised on the wingby the general white colour, not only of its under, but alsoof its upper parts. Hence, in sunshine, a flock displaysa constant brilliant or glittering appearance in the air aslong as the birds are visible, differing from Dunlins, whichseem almost to disappear for an instant when they turntheir darker backs. Voice.—When unsuspicious of danger,
. The aquatic birds of Great Britain and Ireland . straight, so that a passing flockwill not display the same fantastic aerial patterns as areexhibited by many other shore-birds, notably by Dunlins,[n winter the Sanderling is easily recognised on the wingby the general white colour, not only of its under, but alsoof its upper parts. Hence, in sunshine, a flock displaysa constant brilliant or glittering appearance in the air aslong as the birds are visible, differing from Dunlins, whichseem almost to disappear for an instant when they turntheir darker backs. Voice.—When unsuspicious of danger, the Sanderlingis a rather silent little bird. In spring I have heard a gentletwitter going on at intervals among the feeding alarmed a single sharp and shrill note is utteredwhich sounds like wicl\ or sui7ik, swi^ik. It may be com-pared to a somewhat subdued alarm-note of a Fig. 44.—left FOOT OF SANDERLING. Nat. size. Food.—In autumn, winter, and spring, the food consistsof minute shrimps, shell-fish, and worms. In the gizzardsof several birds I found sand coarser than that usuallyswallowed by the Dunlin. Many minute bivalved shell-fish,unbroken, and measuring 4 ram. in their greatest diameter,were also present. I have also detected quantities ofsand-hoppers and nothing else ; and in other gizzards theremains of small black-beetles in a fine state of division. At its breeding-grounds this species has been foundfeeding largely on Saxifraga opjwsififolia (Col. Feilden). 318 CHARADRIIDJ5 An adult Sanderling which I presented to the DubHnZoological Gardens soon became very tame and grew faton softened bread, minute seeds, and chopped meat. Itenjoyed the society of a Knot and a couple of Turnstones,which occupied the same aviary. After feeding it wouldstand with one leg gathered up among the often remained an hour in this attitude, and
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