SPOTTED REDSHANK.
TUTANUS FUSCUS.
I CAN- say but Utile, derived from personal observation, concerning the distribution of the Spotted Redshank
over the British Islands, baring only met with this species in Norfolk nnd Sussex. In tho former county
these birds frequently resort to Ilreydon mudflats, and a few occasionally arc either seen or board Hying
over the marshes nround Tlicklhig Broad. It is many years since I met with these Iledslianks in
Sussex, though early in the autumn of 1859, and again in 1S61 and 1863, single birds ami now and then
small iloeks were observed about the muddy edges of tin- backwaters in the marshes near Rye and Winehclsea.
The pools inside tho shingle-banks opposite Lancing and the muds in Shorebam UarlKJitr also attraclod a
bird or two, though their visits were seldom of long duration, the numbers of prowling gunners that have
always infested that locality speedily driving them to mure retired spots.
These birds appear to be by no means abundant in any part of the country I have explored, a small
fluck of ton nr twelve being the most I have ever met with in company. This juvenile party, all exhibiting
the immature plumage of the first autumn, look up their quarters on the mudflats in the Nook at
Rye Harbour for three or Tour days after the llith of September, ]s\>9; though rejieated attempts to get
within range wore made, only a single specimen was obtained, the first shot having put them on ihc alert
nnd rendered a near approach an impossibility. During that week an immense number of Waders were
scattered over the saltwater flats, as well as around the backwaters and dykes on the reclaimed ground;
the pools also in the ballast-holes* in the marshes proved most templing fudtag gmnmls tin referring to
mv notes, I find ibnt specimens of the following ipeelea were obtained on the Kith of September:—
Spotted ltedshauk 1. tin en Sandpiper it, Wood Sandpiper 17, Black-tailed Godwit .'(, Snipe 1, Curlew
.Sandpiper 17, Little Stint 10, Little (irebc 1.
On a single occasion only hate I observed above one or two in company on lhoydou: at daybreak oa
the morning of the 88th of August, 1878, after a heavy thunder-storm in the night, when I III mm I 111 I of
Waders attracted by the lights of the toun had been heard calling over Yarmouth, a dozen at least, all young
of the year, were detected scattered here and there in the ranks of an immense gathering of the commoner
species. On first reaching our shores iu autumn the immature birds are CM dingly fearless and while
circling over the flats readily respond to the call-note and. flying towards tin' punf, oiler the easiest shots
imaginable. The call of this bird is uiosl difficult to imitate correctly, and I have met with but one or
two gunners who could successfully accomplish it : the attainment, however, appears to lie of little service,
as the bird is attracted quite as easily by the note of Ihc Common Redshank or the call of the Grey
1'loTcr. Though this species is occasionally met with in winter, 1 have never fallen iu with oven a single bird