350 THE REDSHANK. 



often escape him. Indeed, it seldom rises but when almost trod 

 upon, and seems to seek protection rather from concealment than 

 flight. At the latter end of autumn, however, in the evening, 

 its wonted indolence appears to forsake it. It is then seen 

 rising in a spiral ascent, till it is quite lost from the view, making 

 at the same time a singular noise very different from its former 

 boomings. Thus the same animal is often seen to assume dif- 

 ferent desires ; and while the Latins have given the bittern the 

 name of the star-reaching bird, the Greeks, taking its character 

 from its more constant habits, have given it the title of the lazy 

 bird. 



THE REDSHANK, OR POOL SNIPE, 



resides the greater part of the year in the fen and marshy 

 countries, where it is pretty common ; and there it breeds and 

 rears its young, laying four whitish eggs, tinged with olive, and 

 marked with irregular black spots, most numerous at the large 

 end. When disturbed, it has nearly the actions of a lapwing, 

 in flying round its nest, which it is said to do in such regular 

 circles, the nest being in the centre, whether the circuits be larger 

 or smaller, insomuch that an attentive observer will find it by 

 this circumstance. The redshank is in length twelve inches, in 

 breadth twenty-one, and weighs about six ounces : the bill is 

 two inches long, slender, and like a woodcock's ; of a dark red 

 at the base, and black towards the point : the tongue is sharp 

 and undivided; the upper mandible longer, and sometimes 



