SCOLOPACID.t:. 



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" "^^^^^^AK'^ ' 



THE COMMON REDSHANK. 

 ToTANUS CALiDRis (LinnKus). 



In spite of drainage and modern improvements the Redshank 

 may still be found breeding in most of the marshy districts of 

 England and, sparsely, in Wales ; usually making its appearance 

 inland from the middle of March onwards. Early in autumn it 

 begins to resort to the coast, where it is joined by large numbers of 

 migrants from the Continent ; but on the approach of cold weather 

 the majority pass southward, although during open winters birds may 

 be found throughout the year, especially in the south and west. 

 In Scotland it is generally distributed and abundant as far as the 

 Shetlands, but in most of the Outer Hebrides it appears to be rare 

 In Ireland it is fairly numerous during the summer, while plentiful 

 at other times of the year along the sea-board, especially on the 

 bays of the west, where large expanses covered with Zostera /iiariiia 

 are left by the receding tide. 



This species breeds in the Faroes, Iceland, Scandinavia up to 

 70° N. lat., and as far north as Archangel in Russia ; south of 

 which it is found nesting in suitable localities throughout Europe, 

 and also in Morocco. It visits the Canaries, and migrates down 

 the west side of Africa to Cape Colony, while on the east we trace 



3 A 



