Birds, 



233 



of the history ? Before he departed, a manifest change had taken 

 place in the hues of his plumage. The bright colours I so extolled 

 at first, were very much faded in "the winter of his discontent." He 

 finally took leave of us on the 28th of January, and I expect you will 

 join in my natural anxiety about him, and look forward with some 

 curiosity to ascertain whether he comes again in the ensuing autumn. 

 I shall be very happy to renew the acquaintance, though I do not wish 

 him to remain in " single blessedness." 



Your's very truly, 



C. Nicholson. 



Azotes on the Redshank. By Tlie Rev. J. C. Atkinson. 



The Redshank [Totanus Calidris). 



There are large portions of land on various parts of our coasts, 

 ' (I refer more particularly to our eastern coast, south of Yorkshire), 

 which, except to the sportsman, the naturalist, and, at some seasons, 

 the sheep-owner, are almost without interest : and besides, to some 

 persons who have a wholesome fear of the ague, they would be alto- 

 gether forbidden ground, were they somewhat more attractive than 



