KNOT.
TBINGA CANUTUS.
SLOWLY but surely for the last twenty-live years" tlie number of Knots making their appearance in
spring along the southern and eastern counties of England, have gradual!,' deeteased. This falling oil'
is somewhat unintelligible taken in conneclion with the fact that on the return journey from their broediuggrounds
inunerisc Hoeks si ill arrive at the usual season, the first comers striking the land as far north
ns the Hat shores of Boss-shirc and Sutherland. As autumn advances, the multitudes, for the most
part in immature plumage, spread southward, lill early in September the sand-hanks and muddy estuaries
bordering on the Channel are reached. In winter the movements of Knots are somewhat uncertain,
wind and weather frequently compelling them to make a sudden change of quarters. From personal
observation I am unable to give any particulars concerning the distribution of this species along the
western shores of England, On the northern and western coasts of the Highlands and also among
the Outer Hebrides I failed to detect a single specimen, though continually on the look-out when
on shore and afloat. Only small parties, according to my own experience, liad their way to inland
waters or marshes, the extensive sands and mudflats round our coasts forming the favourite resorts of
this abundant species.
There appears to be no certainty as to the dale at which these birds assume the full breedingplumage
in the spring t. While shooting on llrcydon mudflats I occasionally came across Knots in
the grey garb of winter as late as the end of liny. The following is an extract from my notes for
1871;—"May 30. Soon after daybreak made out a flock composed mainly of Grey Plover on the flats
by the channel. Being unable to identify the whole of their number, the big gun was fired, when the
unknown proved to be a couple of Knots; one showed the full winter plumage without a sign of a red
feather, while the other was hut slightly advanced. The ITovers also wore exceedingly backward, only a
single bird exhibiting a perfectly black breast."
So late do some few stragglers (probably weak or backward birds of the previous year) remain that
it is doubtful whether they quit our shores to start for fhe far north; wounds also may cause others to
delay their journey if not entirely disabling them. In Juno 1808 I visited the Dornoch Firth on
several occasions in pursuit of broods of Sheldrakes; on the 20th, and again on (he 23rd, a small flock
of about a score of Bar-tailed Qodwits and knots wore noticed resorting to the sand-banks in Bdderton
Bay. Not having a punt on the water, I was unable to approach sufficiently close to obtain specimens
for examination; there was, however, no difficult',- in ascertaining that the half-dozen Knots were by no
means in full summer plumage, but few rod feathers showing among the grey of winter.