638 SCOLOPACIDJ3. 



Misson, about two and a half miles north-east of Bawtry, 

 on the borders of Lincolnshire, by one of a small party 

 of men, residing at Misson, who get their living by shoot- 

 ing wild fowl, during the season, which they send to Don- 

 caster for sale. This bird passed into the hands of Mr. 

 Hugh Reid, of Doncaster, who, considering it to be a 

 Wood Sandpiper, and a rare species, caused it to be care- 

 fully preserved by his own assistant ; sold it afterwards to 

 Sir William Milner, Bart., by whom it was brought to 

 London in the spring of 1855, and appropriated to my 

 use in this work. The figure and description here given 

 were taken from this specimen, and I acknowledge with 

 pleasure the obligation I owe to Sir Wm. Milner, Bart., 

 for the interesting privilege thus granted. 



" Of this species," Wilson observes, " I have but little 

 to say. It inhabits our sea coasts and salt marshes during 

 summer ; frequents the flats at low water, and seems par- 

 ticularly fond of walking among the mud, where it 

 doubtless finds its favourite food in abundance. Having 

 never met with its nest, nor with any person acquainted 

 with its particular place or manner of breeding, I must 

 reserve these matters for further observation. It is a 

 plentiful species, and great numbers are brought to 

 market in Boston, New York, and Philadelphia, par- 

 ticularly in autumn. Though these birds do not often 

 penetrate far inland, yet, on the 5th of September, I shot 

 several dozens of them in the meadows of Schuylkill, 

 below Philadelphia. There had been a violent north-east 

 storm a day or two previous, and a large flock of these, 

 accompanied by several species of Sandpipers, appeared 

 at once among the meadows." 



As a bird for the table, the Yellow -shanks, when fat, 

 is in considerable repute. Its chief residence is in the 

 vicinity of the sea, where there are extensive mud-flats. 



