3 BPOTTEJJ BEDBHANK.
at Hint season. A pair of Spotted Redshanks, however, in the full adult Black drew that is assumed during
UM breeding-season have come uuder my ohservalion; these were seen about halfway up the flats on
the east side of Breydon just as day was BREAKING on the 13th of May, 1671, aud a shot would doubtless
bare been obtained had not the train from Norwich, due at Yarmouth at 3.20 A.M., put them on wing
just as the punt was coming within range. After circling round for a time, utteriug their singular and
unmistakable cry, they sheered on* towards tl lumps," where they alighted for a few moments and
eventually, disturbed by a shot on the upper part of the water, went olf towards the sea-coast, holding a
due uorlh-eust course.
When a large tluek of Waders, in which both Redshanks are represented, is fairly within view through
the glasses, it is easy to distinguish the two species at a glance; In addition to the extra length of leg,
the dull grey colouring of the breast and belly of T. fiiicm differs greatly from the pure white plumage
so conspicuous on the uuder purtsof T. culiilri*, and at once attracts attention. Though I failed to ascertain
that these birds were known to the shore-gun tiers in either the east or west uf Sussrs, the majority of the
Breydou puulmen were well aware of the difference in the sue and colouring, and a few could imitate
the note with great accuracy. On several parts of the east coast I remarked that the gunners invariably
termed this species the "Shank," while the Common ltcdshnnk was spoken of as the " Eedleg."
REDSHANK.
TOTJNCS CJLIDRIS.
Tnr. Redshank is a summer resident iu many parts of the country, as well us a visitor in spring and autunm to
almost every inudllat or estuary round our coasts: small parties or large flocks may also occasionally be met
with in winter on any of the salt-water flats; at this season, however, their appearance is uncertain. I cannot
caB to mind a single instance of having s<vn this species inland during the depth of winter.
In England I have found the Redshank breeding only iu Norfolk and Suffolk, though there are doubtless
many other counties to which these noisy birds resort during the summer. In Perthshire the species is
abundant iu the valley of the Tay and scleral of its tributaries; and there is scamdy u strath or glen in the
northern counties of the lTighlunds that does not contain a tlat or two where a few pairs or even a colony take
up their summer quarters.
Early in autumn immense flights make their appearance on the flats along the sea-shore. The birds
evidently prefer localities where an extensive stretch of mud, sand, or low reef of rocks ullows them to rest
unmolested after feeding. Near Morangie, on the Dornoch Firth, I have frequently noticed large thicks of from
two to four hundred, and occasionally double that number, alighting on the floating seaweed: at times a
patch of weed from fifty to one hundred yards in length would be completely covered by the living mass; a
strange and striking sight is then presented Ivy the long line or Waders as ihey rise and fall with the undulating
motion of the waves, I have ofteu watched the Itedlegs * betake themselves to such stations when they wero
flooded off the sands just before high tide. Passing them occasionally iu the gunning-punt, at a distance
of forty or fifty yards, they would take but little notice, one or two rising from time to time, and a few
spreading their wings to steady themselves as a wave broke up and ruffled the surface of the water. On
their first arrival on the coast, Bedlegs arc remarkably fearless, though if constantly harassed they soon
become wild, when few birds cause more annoyance to the gunner-, their warning cry putting all Wildfowl and
Waders on the alert. The note of this species may lie heard at all hours of the night, a Military whistle from
the mudflats occasionally breaking the silence, and a general outcry bunting forth as a iloek lakes wing, cither
flooded off their standing-ground by the tide, or alarmed by the passing em ft of a gunner or fisherman.
Bedslianks usually return to their breeding-haunts on tin- Norfolk marshes early in March : the 3rd is the
earliest date on which I have noted a pair or two showing themselves in the vicinity of their summer
quarters. The marshiuen usually look upon the return of the Red leg us one of the first signs of spring. In
several of the Highland glens I remarked the birds wen1 seldom seen till a month or five weeks later; but
when once they make their appearance, nesting-operations arc speedily commenced. The date at which
eggs are laid varies with the season. In the broad-district in the cast of Norfolk, I noticed in 1888 that
the majority of the birds bad their full complement of eggs by about the 22ud of April; the weather at the
time was cold with cutting cast winds, and ¡1 is probable ihey were a few days later than usual. The Bedleg
• Among too annum on lUo casl cot!I, Ihij •pmiej ii u,usllj luunrn u tho Rtdleg.