KNOT 367 



Turnstones where they lead, this bird showing more determination of purpose 

 than the Knots which frequently yield and follow them [the Turnstones]. 

 This is not the case with the Turnstones; they often leave the combined flock 

 rather than be led where they do not care to go. . . . (Mackay, 1893, pp. 27-28). 



The flocks are much more compact than are those of the Long- 

 billed Dowitcher and this company mannerism is usually retained 

 when they take wing on alarm. Because of the feeding habits of the 

 bird the daily period when good shooting can be enjoyed is rather 

 short — only lasting while the wash of the waves is uncovering new 

 surfaces. Nelson (1887, p. 102) says that when searching for food the 

 birds sometimes run into the water breast high. 



"When shy, and coming to decoys to alight, they barely touch 

 their feet to the sand before they discover their mistake and are off 

 in an instant. They fly quickly and closely together and, when com- 

 ing to decoys, usually pass by them down wind, most of the flock 

 whistling, then suddenly wheeling with heads to the wind, and up 

 to the decoys. At such times many are killed at one discharge" 

 (Mackay, 1893, p. 27). 



Information concerning the nesting habits of the Knot has been 

 very slow in accumulating due to the extreme northern location of 

 the summer home of the bird. Nests and downy young were reported 

 as early as 1824, but no good description of the nests and eggs was 

 published until 1904 (Dresser) and this pertained to the Taimyr 

 Peninsula, in extreme northern Siberia. In 1906-1908, Manniche 

 (1910, pp. 130-136) visited the eastern coast of Greenland north of 

 latitude 76°, and while there had excellent opportunities to observe 

 these birds in the nesting season even though he was unable to dis- 

 cover occupied nests or downy young. 



The Knots arrived about the first of June and immediately took up 

 their residence on and about the snow and ice bordered pools of fresh 

 water. Evidently the birds were mated when they arrived on the 

 breeding grounds as they always traveled in pairs even when making 

 long excursions overland. As is the case with so many other shore 

 birds the male Knot performs a song flight during the breeding season. 



The male suddenly gets up from the snowclad ground, and producing the 

 most beautiful flute-like notes, following an oblique line with rapid wing 

 strokes, mounts to an enormous height often so high, that he can not be 

 followed with the naked eye. Up here in the clear frosty air he flies around 

 in large circles on quivering wings and his melodious far sounding notes are 

 heard far and wide over the country bringing joy to other birds of his own 

 kin. The song sounds now more distant now nearer when 3 or 4 males are 

 singing at the same time. Now and then the bird slides slowly downwards 

 on stiff wings with the tail feathers spread; then again he makes himself 

 invisible in the higher regions of the air mounting on wings quivering even 

 faster than before. . . . 



