256 THE GAME BIRDS AND WILD FOWL 



haunts, a by no means small proportion remain behind and 

 winter on the various coasts of the British Islands. The migra- 

 tions of the Knot are very marked and regular. Small numbers, 

 principally young birds, begin to arrive in our islands early in 

 August, and from that date onwards to the end of October a 

 slowly increasing stream of birds is almost constantly reaching 

 the British coasts, attaining its highest tide in September. As 

 previously stated, many of these individuals do not remain long 

 with us, but spend their winter on the mud-flats of Western 

 Africa. These begin to pass north again in April and May, by 

 the end of which latter month most have quitted the British 

 coasts and retired to the unknown breeding grounds in the North 

 Polar basin. The migrating Knots appear chiefly to follow the 

 coast line, although small numbers occasionally cross inland ; and 

 in spring, as is the case with the Bar-tailed Godwit, the flight 

 across the North Sea is taken about the neighbourhood of Spurn 

 Point, probably following an ancient coast line, as Mr. Cordeaux 

 suggests. A few odd birds remain in the south all the summer, 

 as is usual with many species of Waders. The great haunts of the 

 Knot during its stay in our islands are on the low-lying shores of 

 the east coast of England, the vast mud-flats and estuaries, salt 

 marshes and sandy reaches which afford it an ample and constant 

 supply of food. Great numbers are caught in the flight nets of 

 the A\'ash during October, as they fly low across the shallow sea. 

 Upon their arrival they are often absurdly tame, especially the 

 odd birds that have got separated from the flocks, and I have 

 actually caught them with the hand in the narrow dykes that 

 spread like nets over the muds and marshes. They are very 

 gregarious and social birds, and often mingle with Dunlins. The 

 Ivnots keep well together whilst feeding, with heads all turned in 

 the same direction, and cover a good stretch of shore in a very 

 short time, as they are always on the move. If the flock is very 

 large, some of the birds are almost constantly in the air, flying 

 over the heads of their companions, as if eager to get the first look 

 over the ground. They seldom admit of a very close approach, 

 and when alarmed rise almost simultaneously, and often wheel 

 about, or go out to sea for a little way before alighting again. 

 The Knot more frequently runs with short quick steps than walks. 



