850 TOTANUS FUSCUS. 



It breeds in Finmark and Northern Russia eastward to the Petchora, and also in Norway. On tin- 

 last-named river Mr. Secbohm found it in small troops in June at Ilabariki, where it appeared to be 

 breeding, but its nest was not found. Further north than this Yon Heuglin considers he saw it on Waigats 

 Island between the north coast of Europe and Nova Zemla. In Southern Russia it only occurs on 



passage. 



Going south again to trace out its African range, we find Col. Irby* stating that it occurs on passage in 

 spring and autumn at the Straits of Gibraltar, on the Tangier side of which Favier notes that it frequents 

 salt marshes and lagoons in September and October. It was observed in Algeria by Loehe; and in Egypt it 

 is sparingly distributed, according to Captain Shelley, who met with it only at Sakkara in Central Egypt 

 on the 7th of April. Von Heuglin identifies a flock of eight birds which he met with at ltas Belul on the 

 Red Sea in September as belonging to this species, but he was unable to procure a specimen. Layard 

 procured one specimen at Kuysna in Cape colony. 



Habits. — In India the Dusky Redshank frequents the borders of rivers and lakes on the sea-coast, 

 and is also found about flooded marshes and in the vicinity of jhecls. In the Point-Pedro district 

 Layard probably met with it on the back-waters and on the muddy foreshores of the salt lagoons which 

 intersect the Jaffna peninsula, and which constitute a paradise for all the Waders which visit the north coast 



of Ceylon. 



Like its smaller congener last noticed it is generally shy and wary. It congregates more in flocks 

 than the Common Redshank, although it may often be met with singly. In Sardinia Mr. A. B. Brooke 

 noticed that they were " wild and independent, never seeming to care much for the company of other 

 Sandpipers, but when disturbed separating at once, and generally flying a long distance before alighting." 

 When in small flocks, feeding, it keeps in close company and walks quickly, picking up its food as it proceeds. 

 Its diet consists of worms, aquatic insects, minute crustaceans, and the spawn of fish and frogs. It is said 

 to be able to swim well and to dive on the approach of danger from a bird of prey or when being pursued 

 after being wounded. Its note is a shrill whistle, which some writers liken to the syllables tshiveet, tshweet. 

 Naumann says that it utters a low note of welcome, like tick, tick, tack, when one joins its companions ; and 

 in the breeding-season it has a cry which Mr. Wollcy likens to ijeuty. Mr. Dresser remarks that it frequents 

 inland situations much more than the Common Redshank, affecting morasses where there are little open 

 sheets of water. 



Nidification. — The Dusky Redshank, as far as Europe is concerned, breeds in Finland, Mr. Wolley 

 having been the first to discover its eggs and breeding-haunts. In Asia it doubtless nests in Northern 

 Siberia, not far short of the latitude of the Arctic circle. From Mr. Wolley's interesting letters addressed to 

 Mr. Hewitson 1 subjoin the following extract, taken from Mr. Dresser's ' Birds of Europe.' After referring to 

 its cry which, be says, has a local meaning, signifying burnt wood, Mr. AVolley remarks : — " Certain it is that 

 this black bird not unfrequently lays its eggs in a part of the forest which has formerly been burnt ; and here is 

 one of its most unexpected singularities — a marsh-bird choosing the driest possible situation, even hills of 

 considerable height. I have myself seen two nests so placed ; and one of them at least was on ground 

 which, from charred wood lying about, had evidently been burnt at some former period. They were nearly 



at the top of long hills, many hundred yards from marshy places, with good-sized firs on all sides 



The bird sits sometimes so close that one is tempted to try and catch it in the hand, its white back conspicuous 

 as it crouches with its neck drawn in. It eitber gets up direct or runs a short way before it rises ; and then 

 it flies round with an occasional tjeuty, or stands upon the top of a neighbouring tree, showing the full length 

 of its slender legs, neck, and bill. But it is not till it has young that all its powers of eloquence are fully 

 brought into play : it then comes far to meet any intruder, floating over him with a clear cry that echoes 

 through the forest, or that is heard over a great extent of marsh, or it stands very near one, bowing its 

 head, openiug its beak quite wide in the energy of its gesticulations." Mr. Meeves, iu writing to 

 Mr. Dresser, says that " the nest is merely a depression in a tussock which is overgrown with moss, lichens, 

 and blueberry-plants ; the inside of the nest is lined with leaves." The eggs are four in number, and are 



