S COLOPACID^:. 



581 





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THE KNOT. 



Tringa canutus, Linnoeus. 



The Knot has long been known as a regular visitor to the British 

 coasts, its name being popularly supposed to have originated from 

 the esteem in which the bird was held by King Canute, while 

 down to the end of the 17th century it was captured in nets 

 and systematically fattened for the table. Flocks of young make 

 their appearance early in August, the adults arriving, as a rule, 

 somewhat later, while a considerable number often remain with us 

 until the following May. They are then joined by migrants which 

 have developed in a higher degree the rich red tints of the nuptial- 

 dress under the influence of a southern climate, and all, except a few 

 barren birds, depart for the far north. Nowhere in Great Britain 

 is the Knot more abundant than on the extensive sand-banks 

 and mud-flats of the estuaries on the east, but in the Hebrides 

 and down the west of Scotland it is comparatively rare, except on 

 the Solway, where vast flocks are met with ; it is again plentiful in 

 suitable situations from Lancashire to Cornwall. Large numbers 

 are found in L-eland during the colder months. 



To Iceland and the south of Greenland the Knot is a visitor on 



