NESTING-SERIES OF BRITISH BIRDS. 179 
usually in the proximity of fresh water. The eggs are four in number, 
and of a creamy-buff colour, finely spotted with grey and with two shades 
of brown. 
Sutherlandshire, June. 
Presented by Colonel L. H. Irby & Captain S. G. Reid. 
No. 115. REDSHANK. (‘lotanus calidris.) 
A common species during the summer months throughout the British 
Islands, but on the approach of cold weather the majority of birds move 
southward, though some remain on the coasts throughout the winter. 
It breeds in marshy districts and pastures, nesting in a hollow in the 
eround among rushes, heather, or long grass. The eggs, which are 
usually well concealed, are four in number, and are of a greenish-buff 
colour, blotched and spotted with purplish-brown. 
The birds betray great anxiety when their nest is approached, and 
endeavour to lead the intruder away by flying round and uttering their 
shrill but plaintive note. 
Two nests are exhibited with the parent birds—one pair with eggs, 
the other with young. 
Cumberland, June. 
Presented by the Rev. H. A. Mucherson., 
No. 116. GREENSHANK. (Glottis nebularius.) 
An annual migrant to the British Islands, many remaining to breed 
on the moors in the northern parts of Scotland. It feeds on small fish, 
molluses, worms, crustaceans, beetles, ete. ‘Tbe nest, a mere hollow in 
the ground, thinly lined with dry grass or heather, and frequently 
sheltered by a stone, is generally situated near the edge of a loch or 
other fresh water. The eggs, four in number, are of a greenish-buff 
blotched and spotted with rich brown and purplish-grey. 
Sutherlandshire, 28th of May. 
Presented by Colonel L. H. Irby & Captain S. G. Reid. 
No. 117. DOTTEREL. (Hudromias morinellus.) 
This Plover is a migrant to the British Islands in late spring and 
autumn, but a few pairs remain to breed on some of the mountain-tops 
of Scotland and of the Lake District. The nest is a mere hollow in the 
moss which coyers some elevated plateau, where the vegetation consists 
