Northern Observations of Inland Birds 47 



retire miles inland during the flood tide, but just before 

 low tide is reached they flock back to the sea, arriving at 

 exactly the right moment as though acquainted with the 

 movement of the tide to within a minute. 



All the wading birds seem to undergo considerable 

 fluctuation from season to season as regards equality of 

 numbers of each sex. I remember that one year thousands 

 of male unmated redshanks thronged inland, and were 

 to be seen flying about in droves along the shores of 

 hill lochs throughout the spring and summer. These 

 merry bachelors had clearly not a care in the world, and 

 seemed to be enjoying themselves immensely. Another 

 year hardly a redshank will be seen unaccompanied by 

 a mate. 



I have observed the same thing regarding curlews, 

 sandpipers, and golden plovers. Some years great 

 flocks of unmated curlews frequent the sea shore through- 

 out the spring, but another year the shore will be almost 

 destitute of curlew life during the nesting season. 



Two or three miles off the coast of Devonshire my 

 brother and I one day saw a curlew alight on the surface 

 of the sea, and remain there several seconds, eventually 

 rising without difficulty and pursuing its way. I have 

 seen a sandpiper lose its footing while wading, and coolly 

 proceed to float downstream, carried by the current 

 several yards ere it was able to touch bottom. The 

 incident seemed to occasion not the least dismay. 



