122 BRITISH BIRDS, THEIR EGGS AND NESTS. 
moorlands of Scotland, and other similar places in more northerly 
latitudes yet. Its note once heard is sufficiently noticeable to be 
easily recognised on any future occasion. It makes a very care- 
less or rude nest, and lays four eggs which vary a good deal in > 
the depth of the ground-colour and the amount of their spots. 
It is pale greenish dun, varying to olive-green, and spotted with 
darker shades of green and dark-brown.—J%g. 3, plate VILL, 
190. WHIMBREL—(Numenius pheopus). 
Whimbrel-Curlew, Curlew-Jack, Curlew-Knot, Half-Curlew, 
Jack-Curlew, Stone Curlew, Tang-Whaap.—No wonder it has 
the name of Half-Curlew, for it does most strongly resemble a 
diminutive Curlew in its plumage, shape, fashion of bill, haunts, 
and many of its habits. It is seen, in no great numbers, on many 
of our coasts in winter; but I have met with it on the Essex 
Saltings only in the early spring and previous to its retirement 
to the north to breed. It is difficult to assert positively that it 
frequents any part of the main British Island for that purpose ; 
but it is known to nest in both Orkney and Shetland. The nest 
is said by Dr. Fleming to be placed in exposed parts of a moor. 
‘The eggs are four in number, and, though very much less in size 
very much like the darker varieties of the Curlew’s eggs. The | 
Whimbrel is probably a fast decreasing species. 
191. SPOTTED RED-SHANK—(Totanus fuscus). 
Spotted Snipe, Dusky Sand-piper, Black-headed Snipe, Cour- 
and Snipe.—A bird which varies mnch in plumage according to 
season, being almost black in the summer,—but only an occa- 
sional visitor, and scarcely anything known certainly of its nest 
or breeding habits. 
192. COMMON RED-SHANK—(Totanus calidris). 
Redshank Sandpiper, Teuke, Pool Snipe, Sand Cock, Red- 
legged Horseman, Red-legged Sandpiper.—One of the most 
