Tim Knot 159 



THE KNOT (TRINGA CANUTUS). 



THIS bird, from its very different seasonal dre^s, has 

 also undergone a variety of nomenclature, but is 

 now understood in its changes. It is not known 

 as a summer bird with us, or as breeding in this country, 

 although it remains sufficiently long to attain its full 

 breeding dress, and often returns with it only partially 

 changed. 



After they have recovered from their migration they are 

 rather shy and difficult of approach ; at other times again 

 they may appear utterly regardless of danger, and on 

 Holy Island, Northumberland, one may often manage to 

 get within ten or twelve yards of a large flock of these 

 birds, mostly of the first year's growth. These latter 

 must be those that have recently arrived from their long 

 flight, for, even when disturbed by a shot, they would 

 not r move more than from fifty to one hundred yards, 

 alighting and crowding the tops of the isolated rocks 

 which are found mostly near the caves or " coves" of 

 this islard. 



In the plumage of incubation we see the reddish-orange 

 predominating ; all the face, crown, and under parts, from 

 the chin downwards, are of that tint, on the cheek.* 

 slightly spotted with brownish-black, and on the crown 

 and occiput having the feathers broadly marked in the 

 centre with the same colour. The centre of the back, 

 scapulars, and long tertials are deep blackish-brown, on 

 the first having the feathers broadly margined with buff- 

 orange, on the latter having them irregularly blotched, 

 and cut into with yellowish- white. 



The quills are clove-brown, paler on the inner webs, and 

 having the shafts broad and white ; the tail is dark Drocoli- 

 brown, tinted with rufous. 



In the adult full winter dress, the plumage above is 

 brocoli-brown, on the crown and back of the neck with 

 the centre of the feathers darker, on the back having the 

 shafts only dark ; the under parts of the bird are pure 



