

THE STILT-WALKERS. 47 



by a skin. The species we have selected as a type of the rest is the largest of all, being from twelve 

 to thirteen inches long, and from twenty-one and a half to twenty-two inches across the wings. The 

 wing measures seven and the tail three inches. The feathers on the upper portions of the body are 

 black, edged with white ; the lower back, rump, and under side are pure white as far as the breast, which 

 is striped and spotted with black • the tail is grey in the centre, and spotted white and black at its 

 sides. During the autumn the head, nape, and sides of the throat are striped greyish-black and 

 white, and the mantle-feathers deep grey, spotted and shafted with black, and edged with white ; 

 those on the lower web and crop are striped and shafted with black. The eye is brown, the beak 

 blackish green, and the foot greyish green. 



The Greenshank principally inhabits the northern portions of the Eastern Hemisphere, and from 

 thence wanders as far as India, Southern China, and Africa. In Australia these birds are not 

 seen, and it is still doubtful whether they visit the American continent. In some parts of Siberia 

 they are remarkably numerous during the summer months. Such of this species as appear in Central 

 Europe arrive about the end of July, and wander about over the face of the country till August or 

 September, when they commence leaving in order to winter further south. In April and May they 

 return to the north, travelling by night, and only rarely performing even a short part of the journey 

 during the day. The Greenshank is a summer visitor to Great Britain, and is principally seen 

 during its spring and autumnal migrations. " In the Hebrides," says Macgillivray, " it is met with 

 in early spring, and generally departs in October, although I have observed individuals there in 

 November. Previous to the commencement of the breeding season, and after the young are fledged, 

 it resorts to the shores of the sea, frequenting pools of brackish water at the head of the sand-fords, 

 and the shallow margins of bays and creeks. Its habits are very similar to those of the Redshank, 

 with which it associates in autumn. It is extremely shy and vigilant, insomuch that we can very 

 seldom shoot it unless after it has deposited its eggs. Many individuals remain during the summer, 

 when they are to "be found by the lakes in the interior ; indeed, the number of them in Uist, Harris, 

 and Lewis is astonishing. At that season it is very easily discovered, for when you are perhaps more 

 than a quarter of a mile distant it rises into the air with clamorous cries, alarming all the birds 

 in its neighbourhood, flies round the place of its nest, now wheeling off to a distance, again advancing 

 towards you, and at intervals alighting by the edge of the lake, when it continues its cries, vibrating 

 its body all the while. I once found a nest of this bird in the Island of Harris. It was at a con- 

 siderable distance from the water, and consisted of a few fragments of heath and some blades of 

 grass, placed in a hollow cavity scraped in the turf, in an exposed place. The nest, in fact, resembled 

 , that of the Golden Plover, the Curlew, or the Lapwing. The eggs, placed with their narrow ends 

 together, were four in number, pyriform, larger than those of the Lapwing, and smaller than those of 

 the Golden Plover, equally pointed with the latter, but proportionately broader, and more rounded 

 at the larger end than either," 



The high clear cry of this bird has been compared by Yarrell to the sound of the syllables 

 " chio, chio." Insects, larvae, young frogs, and small fishes are all devoured by the Greenshank ; but 

 it is at present undecided as to what may be regarded as its principal means of subsistence, nor are 

 we much better informed concerning its habits during the period of incubation, except that it breeds 

 in the north-eastern portions of the globe, and forms a slight nest of blades of grass, upon a green 

 knoll, usually beneath the shelter of a tree. The four large eggs are deposited in June, and have 

 a pale greenish yellow shell, marked with brownish grey and reddish brown spots of various sizes. 

 The eggs of the Greenshank are regarded as among the greatest rarities of oological collections. 



The GODWITS (Limosa) are recognisable by their large powerful bod}', moderate-sized neck. 



