318 BIRDS OF THE WEST OF SCOTLAND. 



Kintore and Echt, but have not met with the species since in these 

 parts." 



Mr Burnett has also sent me word that he discovered a nest of 

 this Sandpiper in a tract of sedgy bog round the Loch of Spynie, 

 near Elgin, on 8th June, 1853: it was placed in a tuft of marsh 

 grass, from which the bird fluttered out at his feet, "rolling, 

 tumbling, and uttering strange cries." The eggs were four in 

 number, and in course of being hatched, the shells being chipped 

 by the bill of the young bird. 



THE KNOT. 



TRINGA CANUTUS. 



JUDGING from my own observations, I should be inclined to regard 

 this bird as a somewhat uncommon species in the western counties 

 of Scotland. I have met with occasional specimens from Suther- 

 landshire to the Mull of G-alloway, but have never seen such flocks 

 on our shores as are to be seen on those of the eastern counties. 

 It has occurred in Islay, as I have been informed by Mr Elwes, but 

 not, so far as I am aware, on any of the other islands, except in a 

 single instance, namely, that of a specimen in full summer plumage, 

 which was shot on the 30th July, 1870, by Captain MacRae in the 

 Strand of Vallay, in North Uist, and shown to me by that 

 gentleman three days afterwards when I visited the island. This 

 specimen is now in the collection of Captain Orde. In September, 

 1866, when on a visit to the Mull of Galloway Lighthouse, I saw 

 a fine specimen taken on the lantern, against which it fell stunned ; 

 but Mr M'Donald, one of the keepers there, informed me that he 

 had never observed one before. 



On the east coast the Knot is usually found in small flocks on 

 all the shores extending from Caithness to Berwick. At some 

 places, and in particular seasons, these flocks are much larger than 

 at other times, especially in the month of September, about the 

 time of their arrival, when they are seen in hundreds. On Tyne 

 Sands, East Lothian, and also on some parts of the shore south- 

 east of Dunbar, many specimens may be obtained even by stoning 

 the birds when the migratory flocks arrive, as for some days after 

 alighting they are exceedingly tame, but whether from fatigue or 

 stupidity, I am unable to say. After a time, however, they 



