* KNOT.
Mots; owing to the imperfect light, it was impossible to identify the whole, though Redlegs and Knots
were evidently among their numbers. Being well aware that other punts were on the water, and in all
probability the birds would he disturbed before a chance occurred lo make a clear examination through the
glasses, I llred the large punt-gun * in hopes of some rarities falling lo the shot. After collecting the
dead and wounded, we counted out about a score each of Red legs and Knots, a dozen Rutl's and Reeves,
a ad a few Curlew Sandpipers. The Kin it- were all joiiug, and I lie Sandpiper- ail alls in somewhat
curious stages or plumage, the breasts being still red, while the upper parts were mottled black and grey.
On attempting to load the big gun it was discovered that the nipple was blown out ; and the necessaries
fur repairing the mishap having been accidentally omitted from the punt-box, I was forced to send her
back lo Yarmouth. After changing into the second punt, as two or three small hunches of fowl had been
M l through the mist dying west, we made our way slowly towards Ihc upper pari of the water. Several
Hocks of Knots wen observed, and a pair of Spotted Redshanks flew past, declining, however, to venture
within range, though one of my men was the best imitator of their call 1 ever heard. On reaching the
'rouds' near the deep water, two punts were discovered to have already taken up their stations, so
turning round we dropped hack towards the spot lately quitted. Not a dozen yards had been passed
over when the two Shanks t again came in view, holding a course that would have brought them within
a fair shot of where our boats were concealed Itelow the banks, when a gun (an so frequently happens on
llreydun) was discharged, and the birds at once veered towards the south. On this occasion one of the
gunners stationed at the 'roads' had fired his shoulder-gun at a range of considerably over one hundred
and fifty yards*. While passing the lower branch or ' ltessies drain," n single Knot in company with
a small Wader I could nut clearly identify, owing to the drifting rain, Hew round in answer to the Piovereall,
and the stranger (proving when recovered to he only a remarkably diminutive Reeve| was knocked
down. As several scattered birds, disturbed from lower down the Hats, continued making their way towards
the exposed muds near the river side, the dummies were placed out, and the lioats withdrawn a short
distance. Almost immediately a single Ucdleg, rapidly followed by a Rulf and Reeve, was attracted, and
hovering round for a moment alighted within a few yards ; about a score of Knots (all immature) were
the next arrivals. After calling and twittering in a low tone to the unconscious dummies for several
minutes, they one by une turned their heads over on their backs, and carefully buried their beaks in the
plumage, then pulling out the feathers of the breast and belly, and in most instances lifting one leg,
comfortably resigned themselves to repose. For over an hour and a half, during which a drifting rain
continued, the whole party remained almost motionless; to say, however, that they slept, would scarcely lie
correct, as powerful glasses revealed the fact that every few moments one of the eyes of any bird I
was enabled to examine were slowly Opened, Shortly after midday the weather cleared, and a view
of the whole of the Hats was obtained ; as the greater part of the flocks seen in early morning appeared
lo have taken their dcpirture, 1 resolved to knock off work for the day. Our movements in the punts
speedily attracted the notice of the Knots, and rousing up slightly, a few commenced to stretch themselves
in a lazy and indifferent manner; it was not, however, till the men approached lo remove the dummies
that the unsuspecting birds exhibited the slightest alarm. At llrst they merely ran a few yards, uttering
* In order In IS prepared for nil ilmncra. n mini wilti n second pnnt rind gnn was in ull.iidancc. I n-'ienlsdly fouml in the itiyi
of mim]«-li)4dcra, eiucLiilly when in pursuit of Wadcn. thai another nhot oould be ubtainel l.forc the old fn'hioncd hirnl «11 chirftnl:
t In this ftjhM 1 i-t- S[«lliJ lU-dalunk ii _• mi.:;, known u Ihe "Stunk."
J The di.tor.oc-! it which icme of tho Hreydan Runner" will oc^miouilly " itrike • light," u Coao ohafuh-n term the net of flrinn,
•billion t-> krs-p the family p-il n-ltiiling;. Isroorance in judpnu; the mure of birds, and an unfimitcl faith iu the merit* of their weapons.
KNOT.
a low note, evidently unwilling to quit the spot, as the decoys showed no signs of shifting their
quarters. At last they got on wing and flew a short distance, returning, however, immediately and
sweeping round with repeated calls, attempting to induce their late companions to ntnke their escape.
In older to obtain a further insight into the proceedings of these infatuated birds, I recalled the men
towards the boats ; though the main body continued hovering round, three or four settled at once,
and the unmistakable signs of perplexity they exhibited were comical in the extreme. Turning their
heads with necks outstretched to at least twice the ordinary length, they intently regarded for a few
moments first the immovable dummies, and next the occupant» of fbe punts; then after a few low
calls had been exchanged, they rose on wing, and joined the remainder of the flock."
1 often noticed that other Waders which had remained in company with the dummies exhibited great
reluctance to seek their own safety without giving ample warning of impending danger : Knots, however,
were invariably the Inst to move away.
The seductive marshes round Ihc broads iu the east of Norfolk, after Ihc manner or oilier districts,
do not nppear to possess any great attractions for this species; at times I recognized a few straggling
parlies of from two or three to half a dozen, the largest flock that came under my notice being seen 011
Rush Hills, near lliekling Broad, on the .Ird of March, These birds, numbering about a score, were
in company with some half-dozen Curlews, and exhibited, of course, at this season the full winter dress.
Though seldom visiting the inland broads of the eastern counties. Knots, together with Bar-tailed Godwits,
usually resort dining fbe winter to firry dun mudflats. This favuurite feeding-ground would undoubtedly
draw a far larger number of birds were it not for the constant persecution to which they are exposed.
Though frequenting Ihc southern and eastern coasts during winter, these Waders do not entirely desert
the shores of tho Highland firths at that season; occasionally, however, they disappear for some weeks.
Early in March 180B, and all through the month, I found immense flocks of Knots about tho muddy
crocks and harbours 011 the northern shore of the Dornoch Firth. Owing to the absence of gunners the
birds were unusually fearless for this time of year, and had slaughter been my object, innumerable chances
for heavy shots were presented.
It is only on the Norfolk and Sussex coasts that I have met with opportunities for carefully watching
the arrival of the spring flocks. With a north-east breeze Knots that have passed the winter further south
often commence flying over Breydon mudflats as early as the first week in May, a few small parties
occasionally showing themselves in the latter end of April. The first arrivals seldom exhibit any great
amount of colour, and birds iu perfect red plumage arc not lo be looked for before Hie sth or till) of
Ihc month. All through May they continue passing; the nunilwrs seen, however, vary considerably, (he
wind, as with all Waders, greatly influencing the course followed.
In 1870, though on Breydon daily (with the exception of the tirsl week) throughout May, I only
remarked one bird, which was shot DO the tlth, in full summer dress. Iu 1S71 a few fine specimens
were obtained on the Uth, 10th, and 20th; while iu I87S only half a dozen, in company with a small
parly of Bar-tailed Godwits and Grey Plovers, made their appearance on the mud-banks. Those birds
wore discovered on the Hats early iu the morning of May loth, and no specimens of which I was in need
coming in view, the Hock was loft for a time undisturbed. Spreading out at last over the mud iu
search of food, the Knots gradually approached to within about forty yards of the punt, when, by the
help of Ihc glasses, I ascertained thai one of their 11 umbo* showed a particularly dark red colouring.
A shot tired on the upper PART of the Water put the whole party on wing before there was time to aim
tho lug gun. For some hours they remained absent, and on arriving again in the vicinity of their old
quarters evinced considerable mistrust; in all probability a warm reception bad been accorded them
elsewhere, as n couple of Plover were missing. Though attracted by the dummies, which had been