REDSHANKS GODWITS 67 



olive-green markings on sides of the breast. Tail barred 

 dark green. The much rarer wood-sandpiper (8| in.) resembles 

 this species, but is recognised by the white under-surface of 

 the wings. It is a bird of passage, chiefly on the S. and E. of 

 England, 



135. Redshank [Tringa totanus (Linnseus) ; Totanus calidris 

 (Linnaeus)]. Resident and widely distributed, but local as a 

 breeding species. 



Bird. Length 11 in. In shape not unlike No. 133. Recog- 

 nised by the brilliant red legs, and the white on the wing (inner 

 primaries and secondaries) and on the rump. Upper-parts 

 mostly greyish-brown heavily marked with dusky brown, grey, 

 and black. Tail barred black. Under-parts white streaked on 

 its upper area and more or less barred on the lower area with 

 dusky grey. Beak red, dusky on the end half. After the 

 autumn moult the upper-parts are greyer, and the under-parts 

 more faintly marked. The rarer greenshank (summer visitor to 

 N. Scotland, mostly bird of passage elsewhere) is distin- 

 guished from the redshank by its larger size (14 in.), the 

 olive-green legs, slightly up-curved beak, and the general dark 

 greyish hue of the upper-parts. 



Nest. Nests usually not far apart on the upper beach, 

 rough pastures, or moorland. Well concealed in rough herbage, 

 also more or less exposed. More or less lined with dry grass. 

 Gregarious breeding species. 



Eggs. Usually 4. Pale to deep yellowish spotted and 

 blotched with browns and underlying ash-purple. Greenish 

 ground rare. Av. size, 1*75x1 -21 in. Laying begins end 

 March to mid April or later. One brood. 



136. Bartailed-godwit [Limosa lapponica lapponica (Lin- 

 naeus)]. Winter visitor and bird of passage on our coasts. 



Bird. Length 15-| in. See No. 129. In breeding dress may 

 be recognised by its relatively large size, the bright bay on the 

 head, neck, and under-parts, the brownish-black and bay pattern 

 of upper-parts, the long slightly up-curved beak. Under wing 

 surface mostly white. Tail -coverts and rump white, more or 

 less barred and streaked black. Tail mostly white barred with 

 black. After the autumn moult the bay colour is lost. Pattern 

 of the upper-parts ash-grey and white with darker streaks. 

 Under-parts white, except the upper breast and flanks, which 

 are grey with darker streaks. Tail ash-grey with bars absent, 

 or almost so. Female paler. Fledgling like adult in winter, 

 but tail barred and a buff tinge on neck, breast, and flanks. 

 The rarer blaclctailed godwit (16 in.) resembles the lartailed, but 

 may be distinguished at all seasons by the broad black end to 

 the tail, whence its name. 



