182 BIRD-LIFE OF THE BORDERS 



that, once learnt, is never forgotten or mistaken for that 

 of any other species. 



The greenshank is another wader that passes through 

 in August — in small numbers along the coast ; yet smaller 

 still inland. A characteristic feature of this species is the 

 pertinacity with which, year after year, it returns every 

 August to the same spot — be that spot on fresh water or 

 salt — even though the individual birds be killed. But it is 

 incorrect to write "returns," since all these greenshanks 

 are young of the year, that have never crossed sea or land 

 before ; yet they know to seek out those precise spots 

 frequented by their ancestors in previous years. There 

 are several of these spots on the salt-slakes of the coast, 

 where, in August, greenshanks may be found, every 

 year, within half- an -acre, and never another for 20 

 miles. Inland, there is one such spot on Reedwater, 

 near Monkridge bog, where, during different years, I 

 have observed their return. The earliest date was on 

 August 1 6th — three together. Another year, as late as 

 August 31st, a single bird, which either remained or its 

 place was refilled, up to September 6th, and I heard the 

 note by night, a week later. 



The green sandpiper is another passer-by of this 

 season ; but scarce and irregular. My own notes include 

 half-a-dozen occurrences, always single birds ; but three of 

 these in one year, on the Lilburn and Wooler-water. 

 The dates are all between August 8th and September 

 10th. The green sandpiper (easily recognised by 

 its conspicuous white tail and upper tail - coverts) 

 travels exclusively inland, frequenting on its passage 

 the small boggy streams that drain marshy "haughs," 

 and backwaters. It never touches the coast-line or 

 salt water, as the greenshank does. Mr Lancelot 



