THE EEDSHANK AND KNOT 



. (Totanus calidris and Tringa canutus) 



NEXT to the Common Sandpiper, the Eedshank is perhaps 

 the best known of its order, though in summer especially it is 

 somewhat locally distributed. Like most wading birds, the Eed- 

 shank changes it haunts with the change of season ; in winter 

 frequenting the mudflats and coast -marshes and the banks 

 of tidal rivers ; in spring retiring to inland moors and fens for 

 the purpose of rearing its young. The drainage of so much 

 marshy ground of late years in the fen districts has destroyed 

 many a wild breeding-place of the Eedshank, and caused the 

 bird to retire still farther into the wilderness. Nothing can 

 perhaps exceed the dreariness of the wide expanding wastes 

 of mud on the low-lying coasts during summer time. But 

 few birds approach them. Now and then the Gulls beat 

 slowly along over the shallow sea, or perhaps a Heron or a 

 Wild Duck may be seen upon them. But with the approach 

 of autumn the scene changes as if by magic. Birds in count- 

 less thousands appear upon these uninteresting mudflats, and 

 suddenly imbue them with life. Flock after flock comes 

 pouring in from across the sea and from inland moors and 

 mountains ; bird after bird is driven from the ice-bound 

 north, and bends its southern flight to the perennial store- 

 houses of food to be found on these dreary strands. The 

 Eedshank is amongst the first to arrive, appearing in flocks 

 on the tide-flats early in the waning year. It is an interesting 



