THE GREENSHANK. 431 



and account for its name. It is far less common than the 

 Redshank, but seems to resemble it in many of its habits. 

 It is sociably disposed towards birds of its own kind and 

 alUed species, but utterly averse to any familiarity with 

 man, insomuch that fowlers rarely come within shot of it. 

 It frequents low muddy or sandy shores and brackish 

 pools, the oozy banks of lakes, ponds, and rivers, preferring 

 such open situations as allow it a clear view of threaten- 

 ing danger while there is plenty of time to decamp. In 

 the course of feeding it wades unconcernedly through 

 pools of shallow water, and, if so minded, hesitates neither 

 to swim nor to dive. 



Its visits to England are paid most commonly in spring 

 and autumn, while it is on its way to and from the northern 

 climates in which it breeds. "In Scotland it is seen," 

 says Macgillivray, " in small flocks here and there along 

 the sea-shore, by the margins of rivers, and in marshy 

 places ; but it is nowhere common, and in most districts 

 of very rare occurrence. By the beginning of summer* it 

 has disappeared from its winter haunts, and advanced 

 northwards ; individuals or pairs remaining here and there 

 in the more northern parts of Scotland, while the rest 

 extend their migration." The same author describes a 

 nest, which he found in the island of Harris, as very like 

 those of the Golden and Lapwing Plovers, with four eggs, 

 intermediate in size between the eggs of these two birds. 

 Another nest was also found by Selby, in Sutherlandshire. 

 There can be therefore no doubt that the north of Scotland 

 is within the extreme southern limit of its breeding 

 ground. 



