KNOT. 285 



The weight of this species of sandpiper, is four ounces and a half ; 

 length about nine inches ; bill dusky brown, an inch and a quarter long- ; 

 irides hazel ; the top of the head, neck, back, and wings, ash-colour ; 

 from the bill to the eye a dusky streak ; over the eye a white one ; 

 coverts of the wings edged with white, the lower order deeply tipped 

 and margined, forming a bar across the wing ; greater quills dusky, 

 with white shafts ; the rump and tail coverts white and dusky, trans- 

 versely marked in curved lines ; the under parts, from throat to vent, 

 white ; the neck and breast streaked with brown ; the sides and thighs 

 crossed with dusky lines ; tail ash-colour, the outer feather whitish ; 

 legs bluish ash-colour. 



In some the forehead, chin, and lower part of the neck is brown, in- 

 clining to ash-colour ; back and scapulars deep brown, edged with ash- 

 colour. These and other little variations in plumage are common in 

 most of this genus of birds. 



This species is chiefly confined to the fens of Lincolnshire, the Isle 

 of Ely, and a few other places. In the first place they are taken in 

 great numbers on the coast by means of nets, and when fattened are 

 esteemed equal to the ruffs. It should seem they first appear in the 

 month of August, as from that time to November is the season of catch- 

 ing them ; but they are said generally to disappear with the first frost. 



We have received from the coasts of Devonshire and Cornwall, in 

 August, a species of sandpiper in every respect like this described, 

 except that the feathers on the back and wing coverts are margined 

 with a small semicircular line of black ; the extreme edges light cine- 

 reous-brown. 



Mr. Pennant and Dr. Latham both describe their ash-coloured sand- 

 piper to have the back and wing coverts varied with concentric semi- 

 circles of black ash-colour and white, which brings it near to the bird 

 above-mentioned. There is no genus of birds more obscure than the 

 sandpipers ; and as few of them remain with us the whole year, it will 

 in all probability be no inconsiderable time before we shall be able to 

 clear up the many doubts respecting them. We cannot, however, help 

 expressing our opinion, that the species are unnecessarily multiplied. 



The Knot is said to be found in various parts of Europe ; has been 

 met with also in Asia and America. It would seem that they breed with 

 us from Mr. Lewis's account, who says they appear with the ruffs, and 

 has given a figure of its egg, which is pale ferruginous, marked with 

 spots and streaks of rust-colour and cinereous ; in size rather inferior 

 to that of the lapwings. 



