BIRDS OF DUMFRIESSHIRE 
evidently not very scarce, but after that there came a long 
period in which it was rarely recorded, though in later 
years several specimens were obtained. The species may 
be described as formerly tolerably regular, but now only an 
intermittent visitor to our coast from September till 
February. 
Throughout Great Britain with the exception of the north 
and west of Scotland the Green Sandpiper is widely distri- 
buted during its autumnal migration. It is sometimes 
met with throughout the winter, and may occasionally stay 
to breed, but of this there is no positive proof. The nesting- 
habits of this species are remarkable, in that the old nest 
of some other bird, such as a Thrush, Blackbird, or Ring- 
Dove, is frequently utihsed. It breeds from the Arctic 
circle southwards in Europe to central Russia, Poland and 
Germany, and in Asia to the great mountain ranges, being 
found on its subsequent migration throughout these conti- 
nents, and in winter it extends its range south as far as 
Cape Colony, southern India, and the Malay Archipelago. 
THE REDSHANK. Totanus calidris (Linnaeus). 
Local name — Redlegs. 
A resident and increasing species on the coast, i,videly distributed inland in 
spring. 
Sir WiUiam Jardine writes of the Redshank in 1842 : " This 
species is one of the most common of the larger British Totani, 
and although breeding in marshes, is perhaps more decidedly 
a maritime species than the others. . . In a few 
locaUties, on the Scottish coasts, it is stationary during 
the whole year ; these are where some suitable marsh is 
near for a breeding place. ... We have several times 
procured them in the breeding season, and with the young, 
