The Tattlcis. 



i8i 



THE 



GREENSHANK. 



(Glottis nebularius.) 



The Greenshank. 



resembles our Summer-Snipe from 

 which it differs in its spotted under- 

 parts in summer. 



This is the 

 largest of the 

 group of Tat- 

 tlers, and has 

 a slightl}' upturned bdl, while there 

 is scarcely any web between the 

 base of the inner and middle toes. 

 The plumage of the Greenshank 

 IS ashy-grey with whitish edges 

 to the feathers ; the lower back, 

 rump and upper tail-coverts are 



pure white, as also are the tail-feathers, which have broken bars of black ; the 

 under surface of the body is pure white, with some dusky freckhngs on the side of 

 the breast, and some streaks on the sides of the neck. Young birds are tinged with 

 brown on the upper surface and have distinct bars across the tail. The Greenshank 

 is chiefly known as a migrant on our coasts, but a few stay through the winter. It 

 breeds in the north of Scotland and on the islands of the west of Scotland. It also 

 nests throughout Northern Europe and Siberia, and migrates in winter to Africa, 

 India and Australia. It is a shy bird at all times of the year, and makes a slight 

 nest of grass or dead leaves in a depression of the ground. The eggs are four 

 in number, pear-shaped, and of a creamy-buff colour, with spots and blotches of 

 blackish-chestnut and grey ; they measure an inch-and-three-quarters to a little 

 over two inches in length. 



In this species the bill is very short, and the legs rather 

 long ; the centre tail-feathers are not produced beyond the 

 others, as in most of the Tattlers. It has also a peculiarly spotted 

 plumage. It is believed to have nested in Great Britain in 

 former days, but is now only known as a visitor, occurring every 

 autumn on our eastern coasts, but being much rarer on the west and 

 in Ireland. Its breeding-range extends throughout Northern Europe and Siberia, 

 and it visits Africa, India, and the Malayan Archipelago on its winter migration. 



The Wood-Tattler makes its nest in the neighbourhood of swamps, but often 

 on the open grass-land surrounded by trees, on which the bird often perches. 

 Mr. H. L. Popham has found it utilising the old nests of the Fieldfare in the Yenesei 

 Valley, but its nest is generally a slight depression in the ground, lined with a few stalks 

 and dry grass. The eggs are four in number, olive-grey or stone-colour, handsomely 

 spotted and blotched with blackish or reddish-brown and purplish-grey ; they 

 measure about an inch-and-a-(iuarter to an inch-and-a-half in length. 



THE WOOD- 

 TATTLER. 



{Rhyafopliilus 

 glai'tola,} 

 Si'f p. 179. 



