GREEN TOTANUS. 211 



shot in Dumfries-shire, were killed in spring, at the 

 mouth of a small tributary of the Annan, where 

 they remained some days notice having been sent 

 to Mr. Murray of their being there, as a bird not 

 known : they had also been seen near the same 

 spot in previous years. Once or twice the Green 

 Totanus has been seen near Jardine Hall in winter, 

 stationary for some weeks, frequenting the banks 

 of the Annan, where it is was soft, or some large 

 ditches. One was shot in January 1836, which 

 had remained for some time, and was frequently 

 seen in some ditches, sheltered all around with 

 wood. When disturbed, it would not continue flit- 

 ting along the ditch, but would at once rise over 

 the trees, and leave for the time ; its return being 

 often intimated by its shrill whistle, when passing 

 in, before alighting. In the south of England it 

 appears to be more frequent, decreasing north- 

 ward ; and, although there is no instance on record 

 of the nest being found, it is more than probable 

 that a few pairs have occasionally brought out 

 their young. Mr. Blyth and Mr. Salmon consider 

 that it does ; and, from the old birds being by 

 others also met with in summer, and young spe- 

 cimens in the first plumage (but quite able to 

 migrate), having been killed very early in autumn, 

 it has been concluded that it may occasionally 

 incubate with us. In Ireland it is seen in some- 

 what similar proportions. Over the Continent of 

 Europe, from all accounts, it is pretty equally 

 distributed, but is no where very abundant, and 



