342 CHARADBIIDJE 



which frequent the British Isles. From our low-lying coasts, 

 especially in those districts where there is an abundance 

 of slob-land and ooze, this ' wader ' is seldom absent, and 

 small numbers of non-breeding birds remain after the 

 majority have gone inland to their nesting-sites. ' Wisps ' of 

 immature birds may be noticed along our shores as early as 

 the middle of July ; l these, which are chiefly home-bred, 

 are joined later on, about the middle of August, by large 

 gatherings of migrants which descend from higher latitudes. 



In some districts the numbers diminish at the onset of 

 severe weather, many birds passing southward ; in other 

 places, for example, on the Dublin coast, the Eedshank is 

 numerous throughout the winter. 2 



Along the Scottish mainland, this species is abundant, 

 though less so on the Island-Groups. In fact, in the Outer 

 Hebrides, it is mainly known as an autumn-migrant. 



This bird delights to probe in soft, estuarine mud, 

 and is usually abundant about the mouths of large city-rivers, 

 the muddy beds of which are laid partially bare at low water. 

 But it may be said that there is hardly a spot on the coast 

 unfrequented by this noisy and restless species. Its incessant 

 and piping cry may be heard over the low, flat sands, far out 

 at the edge of the breakers, about the seaweed-covered rocks 

 of both island 3 and mainland, in channels and drains of salt 

 and brackish water, and even up rivers some miles from 

 the coast. 



Wary in its habits, it is a difficult matter to approach 

 this bird (except when immature) on the open strand, even 

 within gunshot. Yet it is possible to study its movements, 

 without much difficulty from the cover of a large rock, or the 

 scanty vegetation of the sand-hills. Sociable and very 

 active, ' wisps ' and small flocks may be seen constantly flit- 

 ting to and fro over the sands, some alighting among 



1 During the entire month of July, and even in the first week in 

 August, I have over and over again heard adult Redshanks screech- 

 ing loudly as though their nesting-haunts were being intruded upon, 

 the birds at the same time flying round my head in a most menacing 

 manner. The immature birds, which were feeding on the ooze, were 

 not at all times close by. The habit is of interest, as the parent- 

 birds were miles away from their breeding-haunts. 



2 I have shot Redshanks in full winter-plumage as early as Sep- 

 tember 6th. 



3 In August, 1897, I observed quite a large gathering of Redshanks 

 resting on a small rock-island of the Blasket Group, off the coast of Kerry. 



