232 THE GAME BIRDS AND WILD FOWL 



chapter. T. siagnatilis* an inhabitant in summer of the 

 southern Palsearctic region, from the basin of the Mediterranean 

 in the west to the Amoor valley in the east ; wintering in South 

 Africa, India, and South China. Differs principally from the 

 Greenshank in being much smaller (length of wing, 5-5 inches 

 instead of 7-5 inches). T. giittiferus, an inhabitant in summer of 

 Kamtschatka and Behring Island, and in winter of Burma. 

 Distinguished from all other members of the genus by its com- 

 bining a white lower back and axillaries, and having the middle 

 toe united by a well-developed web to the other toes. 



Time during which the Greenshank may be taken.— 



August I St to March ist. 



Habits. — It is during its passage to and from its northern 

 breeding grounds in spring and autumn that the Greenshank is 

 best known in our islands, and during those periods it may be 

 met with, not only on the coast, but in the vicinity of many 

 inland waters. It is a bird of very regular passage, beginning to 

 leave its winter quarters at the beginning of spring, often early in 

 March. It arrives on our coasts from the end of April to the 

 first week or so in May, and reaches Norway during the latter 

 half of May. The return journey begins in August in Holland, 

 in September in our islands, and lasts through October. During 

 migration it may sometimes be observed in small flocks, especially 

 in autumn, when the broods and their parents appear to journey 

 in company, but it is most frequently seen in pairs or even alone, 

 and with other \\''aders. Its actions on the coast are very similar 

 to those of the other Totani. It runs about the muds and amongst 

 the weed-draped rocks at low water, and often wades into the 

 shallows, being always very wary and suspicious, taking wing 

 long before it is within gunshot. Its flight is quick and wavering, 

 and the bird has a habit of dropping' suddenly, running a few 

 paces with wings half open, and then, after closing them, shaking 

 its body in a peculiar manner. It frequently perches in trees at 

 its breeding grounds. The food of the Greenshank consists of 

 insects and their larvs, especially beetles, for which the bird 



* An example of this species is said to have been shot in Hertfordshire 

 during October, 1S87, but no competent naturalist appears to have identified 

 it. The bird has occurred accidentally on Heligoland. 



