THE COMMON REDSHANK. 627 



Characters and allied forms. — For differences of T. t. robusta 

 see under that form. T. t. eurhinus (Central and apparently E. 

 Asia) in winter has under -parts less streaked, in summer upper- 

 parts lighter and more plentifully margined pink-cinnamon. White 

 back and rump, barred upper tail-coverts, more or less white 

 secondaries distinguish Redshank in all plumages. 



Field -characters. — Breeding-places are deserted as soon as young 

 can fly, but Redshank is a familiar shore -bird throughout year, 

 frequenting rocky coasts, mud-flats and sandy shores indifferently. 

 A noisy, restless creature, identified by slender build, long red legs 

 (yellow in young), white rump and tail-coverts and large extent of 

 white on wing in flight. Young birds are sometimes reported as 

 Yellowshank, which has dark secondaries and barred, not white, 

 axillaries. Call-note, a loud musical " tew, tew." Love-song, begun 

 in air as bird circles and soars above nesting place and finished on 

 ground, is at first deliberate but gradually quickens. Farren 

 renders it " dhu-lee dhu-lee du-lee du-le du-le die -die -die -die." 

 Alarm-note at breeding-places a yelping " teuk, teuk." 



Breeding-habits. — Haunts meadow-land near rivers, marshes, 

 moorlands, etc. Nest. — Hollow in tuft of dead grass, neatly lined 

 with bents, sometimes quite exposed, but generally with grasses 

 drawn together above over nest, and entrance at side. Eggs. — 

 Normally 4, occasionally 5 (nests with 6 to 8 eggs are probably 

 used by two hens), pyriform, pale ochreous to reddish-ochreous, very 

 rarely greenish in ground, sometimes profusely spotted and blotched, 

 sometimes sparingly marked with sienna to Vandyke -brown and 

 ashy-grey shellmarks. Average of 100 British eggs, 44.5x31.5. 

 Max.: 48x32 and 46.5x33.1. Min. : 41.5x28.5 mm. Breeding- 

 season. — From first half April in England but in Scotland often in 

 early May. Incubation. — Apparently chiefly by hen but male has 

 been killed from eggs (Cunningham). Period 23-25 days. Probably 

 single brooded, late clutches being second or third layings. 



Food. — Chiefly insects and their larvae ; coleoptera (Hyphidrus, 

 Onihophagus, etc.) ; diptera (Tipula, etc.) and larvae of Ephemeridaz 

 and Phryganeidce. Also mollusca (small marine univalves, and 

 Cardium), Crustacea (small crabs), worms (Lumbrici) and spiders. 

 Small frogs also said to be taken. 



Distribution. — British Isles. — Summer -resident, to what extent 

 migrant is uncertain, but some travel considerable distances from 

 breeding haunts, e.g. Scotland to Ireland ; passage -migrant and 

 winter-visitor (mid- July to mid-No v. and mid-March to end May). 

 Breeds (increasing generally during recent years, especially inland) 

 many suitable localities throughout, but sparsely Wales, Shetlands 

 and O. Hebrides, not south coast Ireland. In autumn on all coasts 

 but less numerous winter. 



Distribution. — Abroad. — Breeds throughout Europe generally 

 and Mediterranean countries, and from Asia Minor to west Siberia, 



