324 BIRDS OF TUNISIA 



present regarding the nesting of the Knot ; it is only recently that full 

 clutches of its eggs have been obtained, although nestlings had 

 previously been captured in latitudes between 81° 44' and 82° 33' N. 

 During the winter season the Knot ranges far south and has been 

 recorded from South Africa, New Zealand and Brazil. 



The Knot is usually to be found in winter, in larger or smaller 

 flocks, frequenting the sea-shore, particularly stretches of mud or 

 sand, and the mouths of rivers. When actually on migration, the 

 species congregates in enormous flocks, those observed in South Spain, 

 according to Lord Lilford, far outnumbering all other kinds of waders. 

 The bird is not shy, as a rule, until it has been disturbed and made 

 more wary and suspicious. It flies and runs with ease, and like some 

 of its congeners, is fond of performing aerial evolutions. Its note, 

 which apparently is uttered at all seasons, and on the ground as well 

 as on the wing, is a short low whistle. 



Its food consists of insects, worms, small bivalves and the buds of 

 certain plants. In autumn the bird becomes very plump, and its flesh 

 is then very delicate. The Knot used once to be held in high esteem 

 for the table and was netted in considerable numbers expressly for the 

 market. 



MACHETES PUGNAX (Linnisus). 

 KUFF. 



Tringa pugnax, Linn. Syst. Nat. i, p. 247 (1766). 



Machetes pugnax, Cuv. Regne Anim. i, p. 490 (1817) ; Malherbe, Faune 



Orn. de I'Alg. p. 32 (1855) ; Lochc, Expl. Sci. Alg. Ois. ii, p. 299 



(1867) ; Koemg, J. f. 0. 1888, p. 279 ; id. J. f. 0. 1893, p. 92 ; 



Whitaker, Ibis, 1895, p. 106. 

 Pavoncella pugnax, Sharpc, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. xxiv, p. 500 ; 



Erlanger, J. f. 0. 1900, p. 66. 



Dascription. — Adult male, winter, from North Tunisia. 



Upper plumage grey-brown, the feathers with blackish centres; throat, 

 fore-neck and breast very pale greyish-brown ; rest of the under parts white. 



Iris brown, bill dark brown, yellowish at the base of lower mandible, feet 

 yellowish-brown . 



Total length 12 inches, wing 7, culmen 1-60, tarsus 2. 



Adult female in winter resembles the male in plumage and in the 

 colours of the soft parts, but is much smaller. 



