102 BRITISH) SEA) BURDS. 
REDSHANK. 
During the greater part of the year this species— 
the Zotanus calidris of modern naturalists—resides 
upon the coasts, retiring to more or less inland 
districts to breed. There are few prettier and 
more graceful birds along the shore than the 
Redshank, distinguished by its long orange-red 
legs, and white lower back, rump, and secondaries 
—the latter marbled with brown at the base. In 
the breeding season the grayish- brown upper 
plumage, and the white breast characteristic of 
winter, are mottled with rich dark brown. In 
autumn our resident Redshanks are largely in- 
creased in numbers by migratory individuals from 
more northerly latitudes; many of these pass on 
to winter quarters further south, but many others 
remain with us for the winter. Sociable at all 
times, and freely consorting with other Limicoline 
species on the coast, in winter, especially, the 
Redshank becomes very gregarious. Its favourite 
haunts are mud-flats and salt-marshes, and it is 
here that the largest flocks congregate, but many 
odd birds frequent coasts of a more rocky 
character. Redshanks are sprightly, restless birds, 
almost constantly in motion when on the feed, and 
scattering far and wide, running to and fro with 
dainty action, wading through the little pools, and 
even occasionally swimming the shallows between 
one mud-bank and another. They are ever alert, 
