132 CATALOGUE OF BIRDS. 



SPOTTED REDSHANK. 



Case 156. 



The Spotted Eedshank, in the black dress of summer, 

 is a rare bird in the British Islands. When shooting 

 on the Norfolk inudbanks, I have occasionally seen a 

 bird or two in May, but at too great a distance to 

 distinguish them, had my attention not been first 

 attracted by their well-known note. 



During autumn the immature birds are by no means 

 scarce in some of the eastern and southern counties. 

 Though several make their appearance on Breydon 

 mudflats, I have always noticed them to be remarkably 

 unsociable with their own species, generally being 

 observed singly, or in company with Greenshanks or 

 Common Kedshanks. 



The call of this bird is most difficult to imitate cor- 

 rectly, and I have met with but one or two gunners 

 who could successfully accomplish it. The attainment, 

 however, appears to be of little service, as the bird is 

 attracted quite as easily by the note of the Common 

 Redshank, or the call of the Grey Plover. 



Though the Spotted Redshank is occasionally met 

 with in winter, I have never fallen in with the bird at 

 that season. 



The specimens in the case were shot on Breydon 

 mudflats, one in August, 1871, and the other in 

 August, 1872. 



