94 THE BIRDS OF NORTHAMPTONSHIRE 



migration on the banks of rocky mountain streams 

 and lakes ; it is well versed in all the usual Plovers' 

 and Sandpipers' devices to draw off attention from 

 its nest and young, and will follow and buffet at 

 marauding birds, such as Gulls, Crows, and Harriers. 

 Although, as I have said, the Redshank is a noxious 

 bird from the Snipe-shooter's point of view, it is a 

 very great ornament to the marsh-lands, and as it is 

 really perfectly harmless, and in my opinion almost 

 uneatable, I trust that it may be very long before it 

 figures in catalogues under the heading of "Rare 

 British Birds," with the Avocet, Bittern, Ruff, and 

 many other harmless and ornamental species whose 

 extinction and banishment is due to the advancement 

 of civilization and the ruthless greed of man. The 

 Redshank thrives well in captivity if allowed plenty 

 of room for exercise ; it feeds readily on the food 

 mentioned as suiting the Ruff, and during the hot 

 months will feed itself to a great extent on house- 

 flies, gnats, and the small worms that are always to 

 be found in well-w^atered plots of grass. In common 

 with many waders the Redshank often washes its 

 morsels of food before swallowing them ; but this 

 does not appear to be such an invariable custom 

 with this species as with the Oyster-catcher. 



158. SPOTTED REDSHANK. 



Totanus fuscus. 



The only occurrence of this bird in Northampton- 

 shire with Avhich I am acquainted was brought to 

 my knowledge by a letter from Mr. Oliver Aplin, 

 who, writing from Bloxham, Banbury, on September 



