312 OUTDOOR LIFE IN ENGLAND 



in England save during its migrations in autumn' 

 and spring. It frequents the shores and lakes, 

 feeding on small fish, Crustacea, worms, beetles, 

 etc., and may at times be found in the water- 

 meadows and pastures. It is one of the largest 

 varieties of the genus to which it belongs, 

 measuring fourteen inches. As its name indi- 

 cates, the colour of its legs is greenish-brown. 

 It is said to breed in the North of Scotland, but 

 rarely remains with us throughout the winter, 

 except in the West of Ireland. In summer the 

 plumage of the head and neck is pale gray 

 streaked with dark brown-; the feathers of the 

 back very dark brown with pale gray margins ; 

 the rump white ; the tail-feathers white, with 

 dark brown bars, and mottled with the same 

 colour ; the under parts white, streaked and 

 spotted with grayish-brown on the throat and 

 breast ; the bill is slightly curved upwards. 



In winter the upper parts are grayer, the 

 under parts white. It is a handsome, graceful, 

 and game-looking bird, and able to swim and 

 dive Like the curlew, to which bird it bears 

 some resemblance, it is wary, ever selecting some 

 spot from which it can readily survey the approach 

 of an enemy. 



