GREENSHANK. 187 
GREENSHANK. 
ToraNUs CANESCENS, Gmelin. 
Pl. XX., fig. 8. 
Geogr. distr.—Entire Palearctic region in summer, but breeding 
principally in the north; S. Africa and Malay Archipelago to Australia 
in winter; also said to visit S. America: in Great Britain it breeds in 
Scotland. 
Food.—Mollusca, Crustacea, and fish. 
Nest.—A shallow depression in a dry tuft of grass, lined sparingly 
with dry, wiry grass and fragments of heath. 
Position of nest.—In or on the borders of marshy ground, by the 
side of a loch, or in open forest, often at some distance from water. 
Number of eggs.—4. 
Time of nidification.—V. 
Although this species is tolerably common in Ireland, in 
autumn and spring, and many localities are believed to be 
suitable for breeding in, no instances of its nesting there 
are recorded. In Scotland and the Hebrides, however, its 
breeding is well established, and is said to be on the 
increase. Nests were also discovered by Saxby in Shetland. 
When on migration the Greenshank has occurred in 
almost every county of Great Britain, but more especially 
the eastern counties. It is not, however, known to breed 
farther to the south than Perth and Argyle. It arrives 
on our coasts in April and May, and leaves us again in 
September, though a few remain with us at times, especially 
in Ireland, during the winter. In habits it is said much to 
resemble the Redshank, though in its nesting it does not 
exhibit the same sociability. It rears but one brood in the 
ear. 
e Mr. Seebohm says :—‘‘ The summer haunts of the Green- 
shank are on the mountain-heaths, on the broad moors 
which are studded with lochs and interlaced with streams 
and pools. On its arrival in this country it frequents the 
coast for a short time, showing preference for shores that 
are low and muddy; but it soon leaves for its summer 
quarters amongst the hills. Both in spring and autumn it 
sometimes congregates into small flocks; but it is more 
often seen in pairs.” —(Hist. Brit. Birds, vol. iii., p. 150.) 
