SPOTTED REDSHANK. 208 



GRALLATORES. SCOLOPACIDM. 



PLATE CLXXVIII 



SPOTTED REDSHANK. 



TOTANUS FUSCUS. 



The Spotted Redshank is a rare occasional visitant in the 

 British Isles ; but being chiefly seen in its winter garb, it is, 

 consequently, not always recognised as being identical with the 

 species now represented. In the London market this bird is 

 now and then brought for sale, in autumn and winter. The 

 occurrence of the dusky sandpiper of Selby, which is the pre- 

 sent species in summer plumage, has only taken place once or 

 twice in this country, in an intermediate stage. This species 

 is more numerous in North America than in any other quarter 

 of the globe, particularly during the summer. In Europe and 

 Asia it occurs but sparingly, and we have no record of its 

 ever having visited Africa. The summer months are passed 

 by the Spotted Redshank in northern climes, such as Iceland, 

 Norway, Lapland, Siberia, Greenland, and the coast of Den- 

 mark, from whence specimens in summer plumage are obtain- 

 ed. Soon after the breeding season is past, and the birds 

 have moulted, this species migrates southward, where they 

 touch the coast of Great Britain and Holland, and pass on 

 to the south of France, Spain, and Italy. In Asia it extends 

 as far as Bengal. The result of these observations shews 

 that the Spotted Redshank is chiefly found, both in its winter 

 and summer quarters, in countries possessing one maritime 

 border. 



VOL. IV. Q 



