SPOTTED REDSHANK. 205 



self down in a sloping line, with its wings almost closed, and 

 often in very elegant evolutions. 



The Spotted Redshank is a careful but not a shy species ; 

 for when alighting and coming in contact with a human being, 

 or when approached by one when on the ground, it takes no 

 heed, but allows the person to come within fifty or sixty paces. 

 On the approach of a bird of prey, it lays itself close to the 

 ground, or dives when on the water. It has already been re- 

 marked that the Spotted Redshank flies as well as walks very 

 close to its companions ; but when one out of a group is shot 

 the remainder fly or walk away without taking the least notice 

 of their less fortunate companion, and unconcernedly pursue 

 their route. 



The call-note of the Spotted Redshank is peculiar enough 

 to be readily distinguished from others of its family, and is 

 constantly uttered either flying or walking : its note is shrill, 

 and easily to be imitated by whistling, sounding like the 

 word tshuwit, tshuwit ! quickly uttered. It is not very diffi- 

 cult to tame one of the present species, if winged or caught 

 in a snare ; and it will become so familiar, that its keeper may 

 teach it to take its food out of his hand. Although it may 

 appear strange, this bird, like most of the waders and snipes, 

 can only be tamed when kept in an inhabited room, but not 

 if shut up by itself : it never lives longer than one year in 

 confinement. 



The food of the Spotted Redshank consists of small shell- 

 fish, frog spawn, and aquatic insects in all stages ; also small 

 frogs, beetles of divers descriptions, and worms, but no vege- 

 table matter of any kind. In confinement, this bird will 

 readily take worms and pounded rusks, and requires a flat 

 dish continually replenished with fresh water. 



Nothing has hitherto been recorded of the nest and eggs 

 of the Spotted Redshank, owing, most likely, to the unfre- 

 quented locality where it breeds. 



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