A HISTORY OF KENT out of a flock of dunlin along the sea shore between Lydd and Rye Harbour on 2 August 1898. It is the property of Mr. Whiteman, of Rye, who kindly showed me the bird. This instance has been recorded by Mr. N. F. Ticehurst (ZW. 1898, p. 480). 213. Dunlin. Tringa alpina, Linn. Locally, Ox-bird. Common, its numbers being augmented by large flocks or ' flings ' in autumn and spring, especially in the former season. There are two races of dunlin, a small and a large one, the latter being the North Ameri- can form. The plumage of the small race is altogether darker, while the markings on breast and flanks are brighter and more con- densed. I have observed that this small race is much later than the majority of dunlins in arriving on the coast during autumn, and fonder of obtaining food near brackish water and on oozy flats than on the shore line. The following are the measurements of the two forms which I have obtained on the south coast : Length 875 in., culmen 1-45 in., wing 4'5 in., weight 2 oz. (large race) ; length 7 in., culmen I'l in., wing 4-4 in. weight i oz. (small race). Very few adult birds remain with us through the entire sum- mer, although I have observed them in sum- mer plumage on the south coast as late as 3 June. A certain number of immature birds with a strong rufous tinge in their plumage remain with us throughout the year. This plumage is that of the second year, be- fore the black breast is assumed. 214. Little Stint. Tringa minuta,L,eiser . By no means common. Occasionally met with in autumn in September and October, but rare on the passage northward in spring. I have a pair in perfect summer plumage shot near Rye Harbour in April 1890. Several have been obtained on the Medway in Sep- tember (Prentis). It often consorts with the dunlin. 215. Temminck's Stint. Tringa temmindi, Leisler. An irregular autumn and spring migrant, occurring much less frequently than the last named species. It has been obtained at Deal 6 September 1850 {Zool. 1850, p. 2923), at Rainham and Isle of Sheppey (Prentis), and near Lydd, where I obtained a specimen in August 1899. I have no record during spring for Kent, although I have an adult female, shot on the Pevensey levels near Rye on 9 May 1896 {Zoo/. 1896, p. 247). 216. Curlew-Sandpiper. Tringa subarquata (Guldenstadt) A scarce migrant in spring and autumn, some years more plentiful than in others. I have found single individuals after the equi- noctial gales in September on the south coast. Adult birds in breeding dress are rare. I have a specimen obtained near Rye in perfect summer plumage, and another in a transitional state. On the north coast it is seen at the beginning of September along the creeks of the Medway. 217. Purple Sandpiper. Tringa striata, Linn. Scarce. I have never met with it on the Lydd coast, though I have obtained it on the rocky portions of the shore line between Rye and St. Leonards. We have no rocky shore suitable to this species. In severe winters it has been obtained about the marsh walls near Rainham (Prentis). 218. Knot. Tringa can!<tus, Liinn. Small parties of immature birds arrive in August, the adults coming in October, visit- ing our mud-flats and estuaries, where during winter considerable flocks may be seen. I have observed single individuals on the Lydd beach as late as 13 June. 219. Sanderling. Calidris arenaria (Linn.) During August the sanderling, next to the dunlin, is the most numerous shore-bird on the sandy portions of our coast. By the end of September the migration southward has been resumed. A few remain during the winter and I have obtained specimens in November. This species on the spring migration is much less common. During my stay near Rye in 1896 the first flock in summer dress appeared on 29 May, the last being seen on 2 June. 220. RuflF. Machetes pugnax (Linn.) Formerly a resident, now only an irregular migrant in autumn, when small parties, generally immature birds, pass us during August on their way south. There are two fine adult males and a female in breeding plumage in the Plomley collection, Dover Museum, obtained many years ago from Lydd. There is not a doubt that in the 'forties ' this species bred in Romney Marsh, but now the course of drainage and its attendant results have banished it. 221. Common Sandpiper. Totanus hypoleucus (Linn.) Locally, Summer Snipe. A migrant in spring and autumn, more numerous during the latter season. In April 296
