342 THE COMPLETE WILDFOWLER 
Its winter dress is grey above and white below, with a 
whitish bar across the extended wing. 
In spring the crown of the head is rufous, streaked with 
black. Mantle black, with broad rufous margins; the neck and 
throat white, streaked with black; breast black ; belly white. 
The sexes are alike in coloration, the female being usually 
slightly the larger. Length from 6 to 7 ins.; bill 1 in.; 
wing 4°5 in. This species, however, varies greatly in size. 
Some naturalists define two, or even three, races of Dunlin. 
The young in autumn have the back nearly black, the 
feathers having narrow buff and rufous margins; the under 
parts are white, buff across the breast, and thickly spotted, 
especially on the lower breast, with black. The amount of 
spotting, however, as well as the colour of the breast, varies 
greatly in individuals. 
KNOT 
Tringa canutus (Linneus) 
The Knot is a common migrant to our shores. In winter 
it often flocks in immense numbers on our mud-flats. It is 
supposed to breed in all suitable places in the North Polar 
Basin. The adult in summer has the mantle variegated with 
black, chestnut, and white. The throat, fore-neck, and breast 
are chestnut. In winter the under parts are white, the mantle 
ashy grey. Immatures are like adults in winter, but show 
conspicuous light marginal markings on the feathers of the 
back. Length 9g in. 
REDSHANK 
Totanus calidris (Linneus) 
The Redshank is a common resident in suitable localities 
throughout our islands. It also inhabits the Palzearctic region, 
but wends its way to Africa to pass the winter. 
In winter it occurs abundantly round all our coasts, and 
