BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 145 



generally most numerous at the larger end. Speci- 

 mens have sometimes been found pure white and 

 unmarked. They are often very difficult to dis- 

 tinguish from the eggs of the Goldfinch. Size 

 about .82 by .56 in. (See Plate II.) 



Time. April, May, June, July, and sometimes 

 as late even as August. 



Remarks. Resident. Notes : call when flying, 

 yack-yack, and when perched shwoing, according to 

 Bechstein. When disturbed whilst sitting, it utters 

 a heart-softening sort of melancholy tway that is 

 enough to fill any young collector with remorse. 

 Local and other names : Green Linnet, Green 

 Chub, Green Grosbeak, Green Bird, Green Lintie. 

 Sits very closely. 



GREENSHANK. 



(Totanus canescens.} 

 Order LIMICOL.E ; Family SCOLOPACID^E (SNIPES). 



Description of Parent Birds. Length about 

 twelve or thirteen inches. Bill long, slightly 

 curved upwards, and almost black in colour. Irides 

 hazel. Head, sides, and back of neck greyish- 

 white, marked with almost black longitudinal lines. 

 Back and wings (except primaries, which are dull 

 black) greenish-black, each feather being bordered 

 with buffy-white. Tail-quills white, barred in the 

 middle and striped on the outside with ash-brown. 

 Chin, throat, breast, sides, belly, vent, and under 

 tail-coverts white, the throat and sides being 

 slightly streaked with ash-grey. Legs and toes 

 olive-green ; claws black. 



Female similar to male. 



Situation and Locality. On the ground amongst 



