144 SPOTTED REDSHANK. 



in the London markets. In Scotland, as mentioned by Sir 

 William Jardine, two on the Frith of Forth, about Queen's 

 Ferry. 



In Ireland, one in the Bay of Belfast, in August, 1823. 

 In Orkney one was shot by the late William Strang, Esq., 

 in Sanday, in September, 1849. 



It breeds in various parts of Scandinavia, Sweden, Norway, 

 Lapland, and Denmark. It likewise is met with in Italy, 

 France, Switzerland, Spain, and Holland. It is also a native 

 of Asia, and has been procured in Siberia, and in India in 

 Bengal. 



It is a sea-shore bird, but occurs likewise still more on the 

 edges of rivers, ponds, and lakes, morasses and water meadows; 

 moist grounds and mud banks being principally suitable to 

 its requirements. 



The period of its migration is during April and May in 

 the spring of the year, and from the middle of August to 

 September in the autumn. They are said to move in troops 

 of from five to ten, to twenty or thirty, and at such times 

 to fly very near together, and when on the ground to keep 

 very closely grouped. 



It is careful, but not particularly shy, and is tamed without 

 much difficulty, so as even to eat from the hand. Meyer 

 says, 'The Spotted Redshank rests on the ground by the 

 water side, most generally during the day, and also at night, 

 when the night is very dark. Its position during roosting is 

 either standing on one leg, or sitting with its head under its 

 wing. The appearance of this species is very handsome when 

 walking on the ground, and its movements elegant; it can 

 run very fast at pleasure, owing to its long legs. When in 

 the act of feeding, it walks with its beak near the ground, 

 and when it finds some prey, reaches out its neck quickly 

 at some length, and draws it in again immediately. Wading 

 is a daily habit with this species, and when it gets beyond 

 its depth, it swims very readily with ease, and for some 

 distance, nodding at every stroke of its feet; and in diving 

 it excels many water-birds, if urged by the approach of 

 danger in any form. 



On the wing the present species is swift and strong; it 

 flies at a great height, and when in the act of alighting, 

 drops itself down in a sloping line, with its wings almost 

 closed, and often in very elegant evolutions.' 



It feeds on worms, beetles, and water-insects, and minute 



