TRINGA, the saud-piper, in natural history, a - genus • of birds of the order Grall2e. Generic character: bill round, straight, slender, and about the length of the head ; nostrils small and linear : tongde slender ; toes very slightly, if at all, connected at the base by a membrane; hind-toe weak. There are thirty-seven species, of which the following are the principal : T. pugnax, or the ruff, is twelve inches long. The male is distinguished by a ruff differing in colour on almost every bird, composed of long leathers, standing out in a peculiar manner, and constituting an appearance somewhat resembling the fashionable neck ruff of the age of Queen Elizabeth. These feathers are not acquir ed till the second year, and continue only during the season of spring; after which, also, the caruncles which previously rise on the face of the male shrink back and disappear. The males of these birds are thought far more numerous than the fe males. Frequent conflicts between the for mer are occasioned from this circumstance; and in the commencement of spring, a male sand-piper is said to take his station near some water, and run round apar Ocular spot such a number of times, that at length he bares a circular path upon the herbage. On the appearance of a fe male near this spot, the males engage in the most animated and ferocious contests, and occupied solely by the idea of tri .umphing over their rivals, they suffer themselves to be taken by the net of the fbwler, who avails himself of these oppor tunities fbr their destruction. In England they are migratory, and are found fre quently in Lincolnshire and the Isle of Ely, where after beingtaken, they are fed for sale, till they at length become nearly a mass of marrovey substance, and are sent to the markets of the metropolis.
T. vanellus, or the lapwing, is thirteen inches long, and of the weight of eight ounces. It remains in England the whole year ; lays its eggs on the ground ; and the female bird exercises various arts to attract the attention of mischievous and depredating school boys from the disco very of her nest, and is said, with. this view even to pretend lameness, to direct their pursuit to herself. In winter these birds appear in Hocks of several hundreds, and are caught in great numbers, being high ly esteemed for food. They live chiefly upon worms, which appear to constitute their delicious banquet, and are sometimes familiarised, and kept in gardens to clear them of slugs and worms, in search for Which, both in the morning and evening, they are extremely assiduous.
T. hypoleucos, or the common sandpi per, breeds in England, but soon with draws after the summer. It is about eight inches long, and is distinguished by its piping note. It is found in France and Siberia.
The T. canutus is about ten inches in length, and weighs four ounces, and fre quents the coasts of Lincolnshire, Eng land, where it is taken in considerable numbers, and fattened for the London market. By some these birds are prefer red to the ruff.