Dunlin

Dunlin (Tringa alpina), an active British sandpiper, called also Purre, Stint, Ox-bird, and Sea snipe, common on shores and about.tidal rivers, feeding on small crustaceans, insects, and worms, and retiring inland to breed. The male, which is slightly smaller than its mate, is about eight inches long, but these birds vary greatly in size, coloration, and in the length of the bill. The summer plumage is black above with rusty grey and white markings; throat light grey, a black horseshoe-like mark on the breast, and the rest of the lower surface white. In winter the upper surface is much lighter, and the under surface is white.