SCOLOPACID;. 301 



355. Totanus glottis (Linn.). Greenshank. 



Totanus glottis, Gould's Birds of Europe, pi. 312. 



Glottis canescem, Strickland & Sclater, Birds Damar., Contr. Orn. 



1852, p. 159. 

 Totanus glottis, Layard's Cat. No. 613. 



Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 419. 



Totanus canescens, Finsch and Hartlaub's Vb'gel Ost-Afrika's, p. 745. 



Sharpe & Dresser's Birds of Europe, pi. 42. 



The Greenshank is pretty common in Damara and 

 Great Namaqua Land, in all suitable localities ; and I 

 have reason to believe that it is abundant in the Lake- 

 regions and on the river Okavango. It frequents, when 

 inland, springs and small running streams, but is more 

 common along the coast. It does not appear to breed 

 in Damara Land, at least not in its middle and southern 

 portion; from the sea-coast it generally disappears 

 about December, reappearing in March and April. It 

 is most commonly found in small flocks, but sometimes 

 singly or in pairs. It is a shy and wary bird, and fre- 

 quently most difficult to obtain. It runs with great 

 celerity, and is very powerful on the wing, frequently 

 flying at a great height ; when, rising it utters shrill 

 cries, which may be heard at a very great distance. 



This species feeds on the fry of fish, worms, insects, 

 crustaceans, and molluscous animals, in search of which 

 it may frequently be seen wading up to its belly in the 

 water. 



The flesh of the Greenshank is very palatable. 



The iris is a very dark claret-colour ; the bill purplish, 

 merging into bluish black towards the point, and 

 bluish grey on the upper ridge ; the legs are yellowish 

 blue, but bluer in some specimens than in others. 



