The breeding-grounds are in Arctic Siberia east of the Yenesei, and it winters in the tropical regions of the Old World.
In autumn the adult is brownish grey on the upper parts, white on the rump and under parts. The young birds may be recognised by the light margins to the feathers of the back and a buffish tint on the chest. In the spring plumage the upper parts are chestnut, streaked with black and grey. The under parts are chestnut, sometimes barred or spotted with brown, the feathers having white margins. Length 8 in.; bill 1·4 in.; wing 5·1 in.
THE PURPLE SANDPIPER
Tringa striata, Linnæus
The Purple Sandpiper is a winter resident on our rocky shores, and if somewhat local is nevertheless well distributed wherever suitable localities are found.
It has not yet been known to breed within the British area, but it is not unlikely that further investigation may prove that it does so on the Shetlands. Its nearest authenticated breeding-ground is on the Faroes; it breeds also in the north of Norway, Iceland, Greenland, and other circumpolar islands westward to Arctic America, but there is no evidence of its nesting in Siberia. The nest is placed on the sea-shore or on rocky fells near the margin of a lake, and the eggs are usually pale greenish buff, with reddish-brown markings. Both sexes incubate, and the male takes chief care of the brood; if disturbed after the young are hatched, the parent runs about in evident distress, and looks in the low scrub more like a rat than a bird. Their diet consists of insects, crustacea, and other living food, which may be found among the sea-weed growing on rocks; and the most exposed situations are visited as soon as the tide has uncovered the weed.
In summer the adult has the upper parts dark brownish grey, the feathers being spotted with rufous and tipped with whitish. The under parts from the chin to the breast dark grey, with brownish streaks; belly and flanks white, the latter spotted with brown. Three inner secondaries white, showing up conspicuously in flight. In winter the upper parts have a purplish gloss, and the breast is brown, with indistinct mottlings. The young have light margins to the feathers. Length 8·57 in.; bill 1·1 in.; wing 5 in.
The short legs give this bird a “squat” appearance and generally afford a clue to its identity.
KNOT
Tringa canutus, Linnæus
In autumn numbers of this species visit our shores, where for a few weeks it is one of the commonest birds, being found on all our coasts except in the west of Scotland. Large numbers leave us again after a few weeks’ sojourn, but a fair number remain with us in wide estuaries or sheltered bays throughout the winter. A return migration takes place in spring, the birds being then in the full red plumage of the breeding season; but these soon pass on and only a few weakly and non-breeding birds are left with us during the summer.
For a long time the breeding home of this bird was unknown, and even though it was discovered breeding over thirty years ago, it is only within the last four or five years that authentic eggs have been obtained and brought home from East Siberia. Its chief breeding-grounds are the Arctic regions of North America and the north of Greenland, and in winter it is found down both sides of the Atlantic.