344 THE COMPLETE WILDFOWLER 



SPOTTED REDSHANK 



Totanus fuscus {LinncBus) 



The Spotted Redshank is a rare spring and autumn migrant, 

 and also occurs occasionally in winter. In Scotland, Ireland, 

 and the west of England it is almost unknown, but in the eastern 

 counties a few probably appear every year on passage, but 

 their stay is of such short duration that they are often 

 unnoticed. Most specimens secured with us are birds of the 

 year. 



It inhabits the north of Scandinavia and Russia, laying its 

 eggs in very dry situations at a considerable distance from its 

 marshy feeding ground. The young are, however, taken to 

 the marsh as soon as they are hatched. 



In summer the male has the upper parts black mottled with 

 white, except the rump and upper tail-coverts, which are white, 

 barred with black. Under parts black. Bill black, red at 

 base of lower mandible ; legs and feet deep red. The female 

 at this season often has a white chin. In autumn the upper 

 parts and neck are ashy brown mottled with white ; under parts 

 white. The young differ from the autumn plumage of the 

 adults in having the chin white and the rest of the under parts 

 thickly barred with ash-brown. Length about i2in. ; wing 

 6'6 in. This species lacks the white wing bar seen in the 

 Common Redshank. 



GREENSHANK 

 Totanus glottis {Linne^us) 



The Greenshank is a summer migrant to these isles, 

 although it is said that a few remain in Ireland during the 

 winter. 



He is a wild and restless bird, and constantly utters his 

 clear "tui-tui " when on the wing. As a rule he is more partial 



