BIRDS OF THE SEASHORE 119 



7^ in. Female rather larger. In winter the adults 

 lose the rufous tinge on upper parts, and become greyish ; 

 under parts white ; gre)dsh band on chest, and white 

 bar on wings. Young : feathers of head and back with 

 dark centres and rufous margins ; chin white ; upper 

 breast tawny, streaked with dusky on flanks ; belly 

 whitish. Nestling : rufous above and greyish white 

 below ; three black streaks on back. 



Language. A pleasing little trill, like " trui." Also 

 another note, like " purre." 



Habits. In disposition rather confiding. Fond of 

 running nimbly over the seashore, stopping every now 

 and then to probe the sand or ooze for food. When 

 flying together in large flocks, often in company with 

 other waders, they look, at one moment, like a dark 

 cloud, at another like a silver one, as they wheel rapidly 

 round and expose the under parts. 



Food. Marine insects, worms, and Crustacea. 



Nest. May. One brood. 



Site. On the ground among heather, or in tuft of 

 coarse grass. 



Materials. A few leaves and grasses. 



Eggs. Four. Greenish or bufnsh white, well spotted 

 and blotched with two shades of reddish brown and grey. 

 Pyriform shape. 



COMMON REDSHANK (Totanus calidns). 



Well-distributed in all suitable localities, especially 

 on the east coast. 



Haunts. Sea-coast, tidal flats, and saltings chiefly, 

 but also found inland. 



Plumage. Upper parts ash-brown, streaked and 

 barred with umber. Secondaries dingy white, noticeable 

 in flight ; rump white. Tail white, barred with blackish ; 

 under parts white, streaked with umber, and zigzagged 

 with umber on flanks. Bill black at tip, otherwise red. 



