348 CHARADKIHXE 



FEET. Deep red ; much longer than those of the Com 

 mon Kedshank. 



IBIDES. Blackish-brown. 



AVERAGE MEASUREMENTS. 



TOTAL LENGTH 13 in. 



WING 6-25 ,, 



BEAK 2-25 ,, 



TARSO-METATARSUS 2'2 ,, 



EGG 1-85 x 1-25 in. 



GREENSHANK. Totauus canescens (J. F. Gmelin). 



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

 53 ; Dresser, 'Birds of Europe,' vol. viii, pi. 570 ; Lilford, 

 ' Coloured Figures,' vol. v, pi. 52. 



The Greenshank is the largest of our British Sandpipers 

 (Totanus), being hardly inferior in size to the Bar-tailed 

 Godwit. It is tolerably common on the coast during 

 migration in autumn, and again on the return journey in 

 spring. 



In winter, large numbers pass southward, though this 

 species may be seen on our shores at almost all seasons of 

 the year. The observations of Mr. Warren 1 show that this 

 wading-bird is one of the earliest to return from its breeding- 

 haunts, appearing occasionally on the Mayo coast at the 

 end of June, or early in July. 



From the Kedshank it may readily be distinguished by 

 its superior size, longer legs and feet of a totally different 

 colour, and by the greater display of white 2 on the throat, 

 breast, and abdomen (Plate XXXVI.). Nor is the Green- 



1 A flock of fourteen was observed on the Mayo coast on June 19th, 

 1878, by Mr. Warren, and I have frequently seen small gatherings 

 during June and July, on the slob- lands of the Dublin coast. 



2 A recently shot adult Greenshank in full winter -plumage with its 

 unsullied white breast and abdomen, and richly chequered grey back 

 and wings, is a strikingly beautiful creature, as it lies with extended 

 wings and tail on the dark slimy ooze. 



