33
MEMORANDA ON THE PURPLE SANDPIPER
(Tringa maritima).
By JAMES MURIE, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S.
[Read 20th April, 1907.]
THE following jottings and critical remarks concerning our
winter migrant, the Purple Sandpiper—even if meagre or
fragmentary—it is to be hoped may possess a certain amount of
interest to some members of the Essex Field Club.
Capture.—To Mr. George J. Payne, of High Street, Leigh-
on-Sea, I am indebted for the specimens forming the basis of this
communication. He and his son went out in their sailing boat
on a shooting excursion 19th November, 1906. When close to
East Canvey point, on the north or Hadleigh Ray side of it
(opposite Leigh), a flock of small water birds, a dozen or there-
abouts, arose from the sands and made off. They were headed
by one of a larger form, supposed to be a Knot or a Ringed
Plover.
As the birds took to wing four were shot, three only of them
being secured. They were new to Mr. Payne, who brought
them to me for identification. They proved to be good examples
of the Purple Sandpiper (Tringa maritima) in winter plumage ;
afterwards verified by several competent ornithologists, to wit,
Bowdler Sharpe, Howard Saunders, Du Cane Godman, and
Hartert.
The trio of birds appeared very similar in size to the eye,
though not weighed, and were in sound, fairly fleshy condition,
their colouring evincing sufficient variation to attach an interest
to them.
Dimensions.—The subjoined are a few measurements
arranged in tabular form, and showing a close approach in size
in the three birds :—
Colouration.—With respect to the colouring of these three
Canvey Island captures, they but illustrate, as already hinted,