COMMON REDSHANK. 141 



from the basin of the Mediterranean to the valley of the Amoor, and 

 winters in South Africa, India, and South China. The inner webs of the 

 primaries of this species in summer plumage show traces of the marbling 

 found in the Buff-breasted, Bartram's, and some other Sandpipers. 



In consequence of the reclamation of so many of its favourite breeding- 

 grounds, the draining of marshes, and the cultivation of swampy wastes, 

 the Redshank is less numerous in summer in England than was formerly 

 the case. In autumn the coasts swarm with this bird, migrants from more 

 northern breeding-places ; but in spring the majority are compelled to 

 leave, not being able to find a suitable summer residence. This bird seems 

 much attached to its quarters, and often stays to breed in cultivated districts 

 if they happen to be flooded. In some places they return regularly to 

 rear their young in their ancient home, even though the marshes have 

 given place to fields, and green crops have replaced the reeds, rushes, and 

 other swamp vegetation of former years. 



The Redshank is one of the first of the numerous Waders that all winter 

 have enlivened many a broad acre of uninteresting mud and salt-marsh, to 

 quit them in spring and return to its breeding-grounds. If the season 

 be open its pleasant cries may be heard on the broads and marshes as 

 early as the middle of February, but a more usual date is the beginning of 

 March. Sometimes the Redshank has not to journey far to its breeding- 

 grounds, merely seeking the open broads and fens close to the shore, or 

 the swampy moors almost within sight of the coast ; but it often goes 

 for some considerable distance inland, visiting the banks of mountain-lochs 

 and the pools of water on the moors. It is a lively, interesting bird, and 

 its habits always have a charm for the naturalist. It is ever on the alert, 

 and the least alarm will cause it to rise whistling in the air, where it often 

 flies round and round over the intruder's head, rousing all the birds that 

 may happen to be within hearing. A very graceful bird it looks as it trips 

 round the margin of the water, or wades into the shallows, or stands lightly 

 poised on some tuft of herbage, swaying its body up and down as it 

 anxiously keeps on the look-out for danger. Its flight is rapid and erratic, 

 as if the bird were undecided as to which course it should take, darting 

 from side to side, its long wings being moved regularly. It sometimes 

 skims along for a short distance before alighting, and often elevates its 

 wings before finally closing them. 



In summer the food of the Redshank is composed of worms, insects and 

 their larvae, and small land-shells. It is said to feed on caddis-worms, 

 casting up their cases in pellets, and it may possibly eat various wild 

 fruits. In winter its fare is more confined to marine animals, crustaceans, 

 small mollusks, sand-worms, &c. The call-note of the Redshank is a loud 

 tyil, tyu. At the nest, in addition to its call-note, its alarm-note of tyik, 

 tyik is constantly heard. 



