COMMON REDSHANK 343 
Dunlins, Knots, Ringed Plovers, and other small wading- 
birds, while others prefer the companionship of the more 
sturdy Curlews, Godwits, and Sea-Pies. But nowhere does 
the Redshank mass into large flocks, though numbers may 
be seen scattered widely over the sands and ooze. It is 
amusing to watch a party of these birds standing along the 
edge of “the tide, jerking their tails and nodding their heads 
in true sandpiper-fashion, and from some unknow n motive. 
Presently one of them will wade into a channel until its 
feet and legs are quite covered. In this position—halt 
swimming, half wading—it will boldly plunge its head and 
slender neck under the water in search of food, until finally, 
by the force of the current, it 1s taken off its feet and obliged 
to swim. This the Redshank can do with ease ; iomleea I 
have seen it cross a deep salt-water creek of considerable 
width, and have observed wounded birds dive courageously 
to escape capture. At high water this, hke many other 
shore-birds, rests on Saves, shingle, and tufts of grass, 
deserting these at ebb-tide for the ooze-flats. Occasionally 
it retires inland for other than breeding-purposes, and in 
sheltered and wooded districts it not infrequently perches 
on trees. 
Some sportsmen dislike the sight of this bird on the 
coast because of its incessant, noisy cry, which comes as 
a warning to other wildfowl to keep clear of the gunner’s 
range. But to the true lover of birds the plaintive piping 
of this favourite shore-bird is a welcome and an agreeable 
sound. The tuneful melody, short and simple, consisting 
of but a few bars, fully expresses that it 1s rendered by an 
emotional and a timid creature. If the piping of the Red- 
shank and the mournful whistle of the Curlew should cease 
to be heard over the sands and shallows of the ebbing tide, 
how greatly should we miss those enlivening sounds! 
Voice.—The alarm-cry resembles the syllables thi-whoo- 
who, thii-wh6b-whd, the accent being thrown well on the 
first syllable. I have also heard a single tuneful cry, as 
though the three syllables were fused into one note. It is 
frequently uttered when the bird is on the wing. The love- 
song of the male in spring has a peculiar sound like leero, 
leero. Itis uttered during courtship, when the male, with 
nodding head, runs about in front of his spouse. 
Flight.—The Redshank is very swift on the wing, and 
cuts through the air, often pursuing an irregular and even a 
zig-zag route. The white of the Secondaries 1s very notice- 
able as the bird skims over the dark sands. 
