160 THE BIRDS OF CUMBERLAND, 



Irthing," near Brampton, in the autumn of 1849 

 or 1850. (W. Proud, in lit.) , 



T. Canescens. Greenshank. 



The Greenshank is a periodical visitant, of con- 

 stant though scarce occurrence on the Solway and 

 west coast in August and September. Mr. Fleming 

 has two good specimens which he shot inland on 

 the Eden at Little Salkeld, in 1864 ; but specimens 

 are seldom met with far from our coastline. The 

 Greenshank haunts the gravel beds of the Solway, 

 and the outlets of the larger creeks, often in parties 

 of two or three, but as frequently solitary, restlessly 

 flying along the margin of the marsh, the long dark 

 wings skimming swiftly over the mud, while its 

 plaintive note, " tu, tu, tu," floats across the water. 



In autumn, when immature birds chiefly occur, 

 the Greenshank is an uneasy, suspicious bird, and 

 difficult to obtain. Mr. Tremble on one occasion 

 killed two Greenshanks and a Turnstone on the edge 

 of Burgh marsh at a shot, on a bright moonlight 

 nicrht. 



o 



A Greenshank, shot on the Eden near Carlisle, 

 August 15th, 1832, and opened by T. C. Heysham, 

 contained a bearded loach ; while two immature 

 birds, shot on August 25th, had been feeding on 

 sparlings [Osmerus Eperlanus) and shrimps. 



Genus M A C B O E AM P H U S. 



M. Griseus. Bed-breasted Snipe. 



The Bed-breasted Snipe is an accidental visitant 

 from North America. A single immature female 



