KNOT 309 



Allied Species and Representative Forms. The Western 

 American species, found about Behring Sea and Alaska, 

 is T. couesi, while T. ptilocnemis is found inhabiting the 

 Pribilof Islands (Saunders). 



KNOT. 1 Triuga canutus (Linnaeus). 



Coloured Figures. Gould, 'Birds of Great Britain,' vol. iv, pi. 

 65 ; Dresser, ' Birds of Europe,' vol. viii, pis. 555, 556 ; 

 Lilford, ' Coloured Figures,' vol. v, pis. 40, 41. 



In autumn (as early as the first week in August), con- 

 siderable numbers of immature Knots arrive from northern 

 latitudes on our shores. Adults appear later, and by October 

 the species is plentifully distributed along tidal estuaries 

 and those parts of the coast where large sand- and ooze- 

 tracts are prevalent. In winter a diminution in numbers 

 is perceptible in some places, and except at midsummer 

 the Knot is common over the greater part of the British 

 coast. Along the west of Scotland and in the Hebrides its 

 numbers are rather limited. 



In spring, migrants travelling northward touch upon 

 our shores. During the month of May, birds in nuptial 

 plumage may be seen on the east coast of England ; but 

 on the Irish coast, though many appear in spring, they are 

 very exceptionally obtained, 2 or even observed, in nuptial 

 garb. It is interesting to note that Mr. K. Warren has 

 observed several as late as June on the Mayo coast, but 

 as they were not in nuptial plumage it is more than prob- 

 able that they were immature. The Knot is essentially a 

 shore-bird ; in exceptional cases specimens have been taken 



1 It seems doubtful as to how the Knot received its name. Cainden, 

 as long ago as 1607, and Drayton, in 1622, connected the name with that 

 of King Canute (the abbreviated form being Cnut), it being supposed 

 that this bird was a favourite dish in the time of the Royal Dane, or 

 from the bird's habit of treading the margin of the water, this being 

 connected with the legend of Canute placing himself at the water's 

 edge and commanding the tide not to advance. The other and more 

 probable origin is from the bird's call-note, which resembles the word 

 Knot, repeatedly uttered. 



- Mr. R. R. Leeper writes me that he obtained a fine specimen in full 

 nuptial plumage in May, 1902, from co. Mayo. 



