60 BRITAIN^S BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS. 



much smaller than those Waders we have so far dealt 

 with. The bright-red legs which give it its name serve 

 unfailingly to distinguish it from all but a few near allies, 

 none of them common British birds. The cry, too, is 

 easily recognisable, and is therefore an important means 

 of identification in the case of such a noisy bird as the 

 Redshank. In fact, the few loud, clear whistles which it 

 utters on rising in alarm are usually the first indication 

 that we have of its presence, for with the exception of 

 its legs it harmonises perfectly with the mud-bank on 

 which it is feeding, or with the moor whereon its nest is 

 hidden. Being a wary bird, it is therefore usually on 

 the wing before we see it. As it flies away Avith rapid, 

 wavering flight, the loud, ringing cry echoes from river- 

 bank to river-bank or from sand-dune to sand-dune, 

 putting all living creatures on the alert. For this reason 

 it is at such times the bane alike of the prowling natu- 

 ralist and of the sportsman on slaughter bent. 



Throughout the British Isles the Redshank may be 

 found in suitable localities from March till early autumn. 

 The localities it favours are swampy river-banks and 

 lake-sides, moors and marshes — in fact, any waste land of 

 a moist character where it can enjoy a fair measure of 

 freedom from human interference. Such localities are, 

 however, practically absent from great parts of the south 

 and middle of England. During the rest of the year it 

 is seldom found inland, but resorts to the sea-coast and 

 tidal estuaries, where it is usually to be met with in 

 parties or even large flocks throughout the autumn. At 

 this season, too, our home-bred birds are joined by others 

 from northern Europe. In winter a few still remain about 

 the coasts, but the majority have undertaken a southward 

 migration. In spring there is, of course, a return 

 migration ; but the birds waste no time on shores and 



