202 SCOLOPACIDiE. 



European continent, the spotted redshank annually migrates to 

 the far north — within the arctic circle — to breed. It does not 

 seem to be met with anywhere in abundance, like the common 

 species, Totanus calidris. I have seen one which was killed in the 

 neighbourhood of Borne. 



THE REDSHANK. 



Totanus calidris, Linn, (sp.) 

 Scolopax „ „ 



Is common around the coast : a small proportion only of 

 those seen during autumn and winter breed in the 

 island. 



This bird appears to be much more numerous around the shores 

 of Ireland than those of Great Britain, judging from the state- 

 ments of authors in the latter island respecting it. Bewick 

 remarks : — " This species is of a solitary character, being mostly 

 seen alone or in pairs only :" — Montagu, that it " is not an un- 

 common bird upon many of our shores in winter •" — Fleming, 

 that it " leads a solitary life on the sea-shore during winter :"* — 

 Selby, that " during the winter the redshank is found upon the 

 sea-coast, and about the mouths of rivers, in small flocks :" — and 

 Yarrell, that " a few redshanks are sometimes met with during the 

 winter season, but the most of them migrate.'" 



Even in the north of Ireland they are very numerous during 

 winter, in all kinds of weather, though autumn is the season of 

 their greatest profusion. Oozy shores, such as are covered by 

 the Zostera marina, seem to be preferred, which may possibly be 

 at least one reason of the great abundance of redshanks on the 

 Irish coast, where there are so many bays of this description. 

 But they are by no means limited to such localities. There is 



* British Animals, p. 103. 



