nowhere very abundant, and in England and Ireland is
best known as an autumnal visitor to the coasts and
inland waters; Mr. H. Saunders informs us that it
remains in Ireland throughout the winter. rlhe nest is
said to be often placed close to large grey granite
stones, to which the upper plumage of the Greenshank
closely assimilates in general tone of colour; the eggs
are four in number, very large for the size of the bird,
and are generally hatched during the first fortnight of
June; both parent-birds are very clamorous, and bold
in attacking a dog, and sweeping round the head of a
human intruder after their young are hatched. I have
met with this bird once or twice on the Tweed in early
autumn, and occasionally on the Irish coasts at the
same season, also on various parts of the Mediterranean
shores, but my principal acquaintance with it was
formed on the lower reaches of the Guadalquivir, where,
though by no means very abundant, it is frequently to
be met with in pairs or small parties during April and
the early part of May. It is generally, in my experience,
a very wary bird, rising at the slightest suspicion
of danger, and uttering a very remarkable shrill double
note, by which it may easily be identified from any of
its congeners with whom I have any acquaintance. I
do not remember ever to have found Greenshanks
associating with any other birds, except a stray Avocet
or two.