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Show 1871.] MR. J. E. HARTING ON ARCTIC BIRDS. 115 DUNLIN. Tringa alpina, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 249. Tringa cinclus, Linn. op. cit. p. 251. Tringa variabilis, Meyer, Taschenb. Deutschl. Vog. ii. p. 397. This specimen is interesting as having been procured at a point where the European Dunlin, which is also found in Asia, would be expected to meet the variety americana oi Cassin. Prof. Baird considers that T. americana is entitled to rank as a species. He says :- " Of eight specimens from Europe and Asia now before us, not one ought to be considered as specifically the same as the American bird. The size (of the former) is invariably smaller, and the bill disproportionately shorter. In fact we have little doubt that the bird inhabiting both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the Republic is quite distinct, and may be easily recognized" (Birds N. Amer. p. 719). On comparing a specimen from New Jersey, in full summer plumage, with one which was shot off the nest in Benbecula (Hebrides), not only are the differences pointed out by Prof. Baird apparent, but it is also observable that the upper portions of the plumage in the American bird are considerably pervaded by bright rufous brown, whereas in the same parts of the Scottish bird black is the prevailing colour. Further, the black of the underparts, which in the Scottish bird extends (as in Squatarola helvetica) from the vent almost to the chin, is confined in the American bird (as in Eudromias morinellus) to the belly only. Whether this large race of Dunlin, known as Tringa americana, is specifically distinct or not, it is not confined to America as is generally supposed. I have specimens in winter plumage now before me, procured by Mr. Swinhoe in Amoy, and others in autumn plumage shot by myself in this country, which, as regards measurements of bill, wing, and tarsus, correspond in every way with examples from New Jersey. They differ only in colour, having been obtained at different seasons of the year. As far as I can judge by the data before me, the smaller bird appears to have a more restricted range, and remains to nest in this country; while the larger bird does not breed with us, but is found on our coasts in spring and autumn, during the migration. GOLDEN PLOVER. Charadrius longipes, Temminck. Charadrius xanthochilus, Wagler, Syst. Av. Charadrius orientalis, Temm. & Schleg. Faun. Jap. p. 104, t. 62 ; Gould, B. Australia, vi. pl. 13. A similar difficulty here presents itself. W e have a bird which, from the locality from which it was obtained, may be either the Asiatic C. longipes or the American C. virginicus*. The characters by which these two may be distinguished have not been defined. Both are smaller than the European C. plurialis; and * Both these forms have been distinctly recognized by Prof. Blasius as having occurred on different occasions in Heligoland (cf. 'Ibis,' 1862, p. 71) ; and C. longipes has occurred in Malta (cf. ' Ibis,' 1865, p. 462). |
