The Little Stint — Tringa Minuta, Leisler
This, the smallest of our shore-birds, is not a very common species. It occurs yearly on the autumn migration, along our eastern and southern coasts, but on the west it is very irregular in its appearance and decidedly rare. Its breeding-grounds are the tundras of Northern Europe, though it is decidedly scarce as a breeding species in the north-west; it winters in the tropical regions of the Old World.
In its habits and food it closely resembles the Dunlin, but its much smaller size enables it to be easily recognised.
In plumage it is practically a miniature Dunlin, but it lacks the black on the breast, which in the breeding plumage has a reddish tinge. Length 6 in.; bill 0·7 in.; wing 3·55 in.