SCOLOPACID.E. 463 



of rearing their young. Their food is sought for on 

 the ground, or among the gravel and stones, on the 

 margins of lakes and rivers : it consists of insects, 

 worms, small mollusks, and fishes. The nest is 

 usually formed in a tuft of grass, or in a slight 

 depression in the earth, lined with dry grass and 

 other vegetable remains. The female lays four eggs, 

 and if disturbed while incubating them, generally 

 Hies round the intruder, uttering a succession of 

 shrill notes for the purpose of engaging his atten- 

 tion, and leading him from the vicinity. 



The birds belonging to this sub-family are dis- 

 tinguished by having the bill hard, with its tip 

 pointed and sharp, and without the particular tactile 

 structure possessed by the Snipes and Woodcocks. 

 This difference in so important an organ indicates a 

 correspondent diversity in their economy and mode 

 of life ; consequently, instead of seeking their food 

 by probing in the soft sand or mud, they seize it 

 upon the surface of the earth, or search for it among 

 gravel or stones, on the shores of lakes and rivers, 

 or on those of the ocean. Some of the species live 

 entirely in the interior, and are but accidentally, if 

 ever, found upon the sea-coast, which is to others 

 the place of habitual resort. 



Some of these birds swim well, and even the 

 young, before they are able to fly, will take to the 

 water when threatened with danger. They can 

 also dive with facility, and remain under water for 

 a considerable time, coming up at a distance from 

 the place where they went down : they are said to 

 progress under water by the agency of their wings. 



The t}^ical species is — 



The Redshank {Totanus calidris). During the winter 

 the Redshank is found upon the sea-coast, and about the 

 mouths of rivers, in small flocks ; but on the approach of 

 spring it retires inland to the fenny pai-ts of tlie country, 

 where it breeds. Its nest is placed in some large tuft of 

 grass m the marshes, or on the ground in moist meadows, 

 and is there formed by lining a shallow liole or depression 



