Birds of the Sea- Shore 



are similarly coloured to the back, each feather 

 having a tiny black centre. Over the eye is a 

 whitish eyebrow; the cheeks, throat and under- 

 parts are white, and lack the large black horse- 

 shoe patch, so conspicuous in the summer plumage. 

 The lower throat and chest is light ashy and has 

 the same streaky appearance as the back owing 

 to the black centres to the feathers. The bill is 

 fairly long, slender and black, as also are the legs 

 and feet. 



On these mud-flats, too, the Redshank is a 

 familiar figure. Small flocks stalk about in com- 

 pany, wade into the shallow water or rest pensively 

 on one leg, keeping a sharp lookout the while, but 

 as we have already made their acquaintance at their 

 nesting haunts by the marshes, there is no need 

 for further description here. 



Such are some of the birds that are frequently 

 to be found on our southern coasts in winter. 

 The wide stretches of mud and sand left un- 

 covered by the tide are their feeding-grounds 

 and when driven off by the rising water they 

 collect in flocks at various points on the beach 

 and sit patiently preening their feathers, waiting 

 till the tide ebbs once more. But where and how 

 do they nest ? The Curlews retire to the moors, 

 the winter migrants to their northern homes. 

 Most of the Redshank betake themselves to the 

 marshes. But what of the remainder, the Oyster- 

 catchers and the Ringed Plovers ? These breed 

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