U6 BRITISH BIRDS. 



Faroes. On migration it passes in spring and autumn not only along the 

 Atlantic and Pacific coasts (including Japan), but also across country by 

 most if not all of the well-known routes of migration. It winters in the 

 basin of the Mediterranean, and in various parts of Africa north of the 

 Equator, and in India, Burma, and China. It has also been said to 

 have strayed during winter as far as the Cape Colony, Ceylon, and the 

 Aleutian Islands. It is not known that eastern examples of this species 

 differ in any respect from western birds. It has no very near ally either 

 in the eastern hemisphere or on the American continent. 



The migrations of the Dusky Redshank from its winter-quarters to its 

 northern breeding-grounds take place somewhat late in spring. It crosses 

 the Mediterranean from the middle of March to the middle of May. It 

 makes its appearance in Denmark late in April, and on the British coasts 

 is usually observed at that date or early in May. The return migration 

 commences in August, at which date a few often make their appearance 

 on the English coasts and Denmark, and it lasts through September and 

 October. 



The Dusky Redshank is not so much of a shore-bird as the Common 

 Redshank, and is rarely found upon the coast except at the two seasons of 

 migration. It loves to haunt inland marshes and the vast swampy grounds 

 near large rivers, where the water lies in small pools. It is also partial 

 to the low banks and dry parts of the beds of rivers. Its habits do not 

 differ much from those of the other Waders. It runs along the marshy 

 shores or wades into the shallow water in search of food. It is rather shy, 

 and when alarmed generally flies off for some considerable distance. Its 

 flight is rapid, and, as is customary with so many wading birds, it some- 

 times skims along before it alights. During migration it keeps in small 

 parties and flocks, which do not scatter much whilst feeding. It is said 

 to be fond of wading, and when it goes beyond its depth to swim with ease, 

 sitting gracefully on the water and bowing its head, like a Phalaropc, with 

 every stroke of its feet. When wounded it has been known to dive for 

 some distance. 



The food of the Dusky Redshank consists of worms, insects of various 

 kinds, crustaceans, and small shells ; it is also said to feed on fish- and 

 frog-spawn, and possibly eats various small wild fruits in summer. Its 

 ordinary note is a shrill clear whistle, closely resembling that of the 

 Redshank. Naumann expresses it as tyuit pronounced as one syllable, and 

 at the nest its note was likened by Wolley to tjeidy. It probably does not 

 difl'er much from that of the Redshank. 



The eggs of the Dusky Redshank were first made known to British 

 ornithologists by the indefatigable Wolley, who obtained them in Lapland. 

 He communicated the details of his discovery to Hewitson, who published 

 them in his ' Eggs of British Birds,' and figured three varieties. During 



