THE KNOT. 453 



in company witli the birds mentioned above, and differing 

 little from them in the mode of obtaining its food. But 

 I remarked on several occasions that, when a flock was 

 disturbed, the Knots often remained behind, being less 

 fearful of the presence of man ; in consequence of which 

 tardiness in rising they more than once fell to our guns 

 after their companions had flown off. On their first 

 arrival, they are said to be so indifferent to the vicinity 

 of human beings that it is not difiicult to knock them 

 down with stones. Their provincial name in Norfolk 

 is the Green-legged Shank, the latter name. Shank, being 

 applied for shortness to the Eedshank. Dr. Eichardson 

 states that " Knots were observed breeding on Melville 

 Peninsula by Captain Lyon, who tells us that they lay 

 four eggs on a tuft of withered grass, without being at the 

 pains of forming any nest." 



THE BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER. 



TRINGA RUFESCENS. 



Bill slender, slightly curved, not longer than the head ; tail wedge-shaped, the 

 outer feathers light brown, edged with white ; a large portion of the tibia 

 naked ; upper plumage mottled with several shades of brown ; primaries 

 dusky, tipped with black ; upper tail-coverts brown ; under plumage white, 

 tinged with brown and buff ; imder surface of the wing mottled with lines of 

 white, black and dusky. Length eight inches. Eggs unknown. 



A PEW specimens only of this rare bird have been shot in 

 England, whither it had strayed from its usual winter 

 resort, the coast of North America. 



THE BROAD-BILLED SANDPIPER. 



TRINGA PLATYRHTNCA. 



Bill slightly curved at the point, longer than the head, much flattened at the 

 base ; lateral tail-feather3 equal in length, shorter than the two middle ones ; 

 head dusky, with two narrow reddish stripes ; back black, streaked with rust- 

 red and dull white ; under plumage white, streaked with brown on the neck 

 and flanks ; bill black, reddish ash at the base ; feet greenish ash. 



This bird, though said to be tolerably frequent in Norway 

 and Lapland, is a rare visitant to the British Isles. Its 

 habits and nidification resemble those of the Snipe. 



