102 BRITISH SEA BIRDS. 



REDSHANK. 



During the greater part of the year this species 

 the Totanus calidris of modern naturalists resides 

 upon the coasts, retiring to more or less inland 

 districts to breed. There are few prettier and 

 more graceful birds along the shore than the 

 Redshank, distinguished by its long orange-red 

 legs, and white lower back, rump, and secondaries 

 the latter marbled with brown at the base. In 

 the breeding season the grayish - brown upper 

 plumage, and the white breast characteristic of 

 winter, are mottled with rich dark brown. In 

 autumn our resident Redshanks are largely in- 

 creased in numbers by migratory individuals from 

 more northerly latitudes ; many of these pass on 

 to winter quarters further south, but many others 

 remain with us for the winter. Sociable at all 

 times, and freely consorting with other Limicoline 

 species on the coast, in winter, especially, the 

 Redshank becomes very gregarious. Its favourite 

 haunts are mud-flats and salt-marshes, and it is 

 here that the largest flocks congregate, but many 

 odd birds frequent coasts of a more rocky 

 character. Redshanks are sprightly, restless birds, 

 almost constantly in motion when on the feed, and 

 scattering far and wide, running to and fro with 

 dainty action, wading through the little pools, and 

 even occasionally swimming the shallows between 

 one mud-bank and another. They are ever alert, 



