Lake-regions and on the River Okavango. It frequents, when
inland, springs and small running streams, but is more common
along the coast. It does not appear to breed in Damara Land, at
least not in its middle and southern portion; from the sea-coast it
generally disappears about December, reappearing in March and
April. It in most commonly found in small flocks, but sometimes
singly or in pairs. It is a shy and wary bird, and frequently most
difficult to obtain. It runs with great celerity, and is very powerful
on the wing, frequently flying at a great height; when rising it
utters shrill cries, which may be heard at a very great distance.
This species feeds on the fry of fish, worms, insects, crustaceans, and
molluscous animals, in search of which it may frequently be seen
wading up to its belly in the water. The flesh of the Greenshank
is very palatable.” Professor Bocage observes that it is widely
spread, and very common in winter on the coasts of Loango and
Angola. Anchieta has forwarded it from Novo Rodondo, Benguela,
the Goroca River, Humbe, and Quillengues ; at nearly all of which
places it is called Kaniapraia, which is the common native name for
most of the small waders.
Adult.—In winter, with the bill greenish-brown at the base, black
towards the end] the feet greenish-grey; the head, hind part and sides
of neck, greyish-white, streaked with brown; the fore part of the back,
scapulars and wing-coverts, greyish-brown, the feathers edged with
whitish ] hind part of the back, the fore part of the face, and all
the lower parts white, but with faint grey markings on the fore part
of the sides, and on the lower wing-coverts ; tail white, barred with
greyish-brown. Adult, in summer, with the fore neck and breast
marked with oblong black spots j the fore part of the back and the
scapulars, black, the feathers margined with whitish. Length,
14" 3"' ] wing, 7" O'"; tail, 3" 2'".
Fig. Dresser, B. Bur. viii, pi. 555.
660. T otanus ca l id b is , Bechst. Redshank.
The Redshank is found sparingly about the Knysna estuary and
the mouth of the Salt River, near Cape Town, in both of which
places we have shot them ourselves : at Zoetendals Yley they were
abundant in November. Capt. Reid saw it at the mouth of the
Umgeni River, near Durban, on December 26th. The species also
occurred in Messrs. Chapman’s collection from Lake N’garni, and a
specimen from Walwich Bay, collected by the late Mr. Andersson, is
in Mr. Harting’s collection. • |
. Plumage in winter: upper parts of the head and hind-neck
brownish grey; fore part of the back greyish brown, streaked
with dusky j its hind part white; the tail and its coverts barred
with white and dusky grey ] the fore part and sides of the neck
pale grey, streaked with dusky, as are the sides ] the rest of the
lower parts white. In summer : the lower parts are white, or less
shaded with grey, and marked with decided dusky streaks, spots,
and angular bars ; feet and legs orange red in life. Length, 11" 3'"',
wing, 6" 6"'; tail, 2" 10"'.
Fig. Dresser, B. Eur. viii, pi. 553.
661. T o t a n u s p u s c u s , L. Dusky Redshank.
A single specimen, procured by ourselves at the Knysna, is the
only example of this species which has come under our notice in
South Africa.
Adult, with basal half of bill red, the other half brownish-black ;
the feet orange-red; the secondary quills black, barred with white.
In winter the upper part of the head and hind neck brownish grey;
the fore pact of the back greyish brown, streaked with dusky, its
hind part white; the tail and its coverts barred with white and
dusky; the cheeks and fore-neck greyish white, faintly streaked
with grey; the rest of the lower parts white. In summer the head,
neck, and lower parts greyish black, the feathers slightly edged
with whitish; those of the fore part of the back and wing-coverts
blackish brown, marginally spotted with black and white; the other
parts as in winter. Length, 12"; wing, 6" 9"'; tail, 3"'.
Fig. Dresser, B. Eur. viii, pi. 554.
662. T o t a n u s o c h e o t u s , L. Green Sandpiper.
This species was common at Zoetendals Vley in November, 1865,
as well as at the Knysna, and we observed it on the Kowie River in
March. We have also received several examples from Mr. Arnott,
procured near Colesberg, but it is curious that it does not occur
either in the lists of any of our correspondents or in any of the
papers published by Mr. Ayres in the “ Ibis.” I t is mentioned by
Mr. Barratt as having been found by him in company with Totanus
canescens, but no localities are given.