366 • S.V/r£S. 



Some of these birds swim well, and even the young, before they 

 are able to fly, will take to the water when threatened with dan- 

 ger. They can also dive with facility, and remain under water 

 for a considerable time, coming up at a distance from the place 

 where they went down : they are said to progress under water by 

 the agency of their wings. 



Fig. 183.— The Common Redshank {Totanus calidrii). 



The typical species is — 



The Redshank {Totanus cnlidris). During the winter the redshank is 

 found upon the sea-coast and about the mouths of rivers, in small flocks ; but 

 on the approach of spring it retires inland to the fenny parts of the country, 

 where it breeds. Its nest is placed in some large tuft of grass in the marshes, 

 or on the ground in moist meadows, and is there formed by lining a shallow 

 hole or depression with dry grasses and other vegetable remains. The eggs, 

 four in number, are of a deep oil-green colour, blotched with blackish brown, 

 the spots being most numerous at the larger end. During incubation, when 

 disturbed from its nest, this bird is very vociferous, flying round the intruder, 

 and unceasingly uttering its shrill and piping notes. Upon the coast it is very 

 wild and wary, and as it always gives a loud whistle on first rising, it spreads 

 the alarm amongst all other birds near at hand, and thereby often disappoints 

 the sportsman in his expectations of game; hence it is a constant subject of 

 malediction, and has received the name of the '* Tell-tale." 



The Tringoides, so called from their resemblance to the true sandpipers, 

 arc found both in the Old and New Worlds. They are usually seen in small 



