THE TRUE TATTLERS. 3OI 



tideways. Mr. R. J. Ussher states that it is reported to breed 

 in every county in Ireland, except Dublin, Carlow, and Water- 

 ford. On the callows of the Shannon, and in marshy districts, 

 it often breeds numerously. 



Range outside the British Islands. — This Species breeds through- 

 out the greater part of Europe and the Mediterranean, to 

 the Faeroes and Iceland, in Scandinavia up to 70° N. lat. 

 and in Northern Russia near Archangel. It is also found nest- 

 ing in Central Asia as far east as Mongolia, and north to about 

 55° N. lat. in Siberia. In winter the Red-shank visits Africa as 

 far as the Cape, India, and the Burmese provinces, Japan, and 

 China, and extends to the islands of the Indo-Malayan Archi- 

 pelago. 



Habits. — In autumn the Red-shanks are met with on most 

 of our tidal harbours, either singly or in flocks, and they are 

 generally seen frequenting the saltings or the green margins of 

 the harbours left by the receding tide. Even at full tide they 

 are fond of resting on the very edge of the saltings, standing 

 motionless on one leg, and keeping a sharp look-out. Their 

 clear and liquid note is not difficult to imitate by whistling, and 

 small flocks may be decoyed within shooting range, especially 

 when the tide has begun to ebb, and the green land becomes 

 once more uncovered. The call-note is a syllable, //-//, 

 generally uttered three times, //-//, ///, ///, in a minor key. 

 During the breeding-season the love-note of the male is a lively 

 flute-like whistle, and is often heard as he accompanies his 

 mate in a short flight. The species may be said to nest in 

 communities, as many pairs are found in close proximity on the 

 marshy ground which they love to frequent. Like many other 

 waders, the male often soars into the air with a trill, and he 

 also indulges in many bowings and scrapings, opening and clos- 

 ing his wings, and spreading out his tail. Mr. Seebohm says that 

 at this time of year the bird will often settle on a tree or a post. 



Nest. — Generally well concealed in the centre of a hummock 

 of long grass, the bents of which bend over and hide it. A few 

 scraps of moss or bents are sometimes used as lining, but the 

 nest is often nothing but a depression in the ground. 



Eggs. — Four in number, pear-shaped, and rather large for the 

 size of the bird. They are laid in April in the south, but later 



