4 
EEDSHANK. 
tlirough May. Under date of May 1873, I find in my notes that several parties of lledlegs appeared in 
company with a few Greenshanks. The young birds usually arrive on the south coast at an early date. A 
small fiock Avas seen on the muds at Shoreham IIarI)our the last week in July 1883. 
It is uncertain at what time the summer plumage is assumed or at what age the young put off the 
immature dress. The birds that gather at their haunts in the Norfolk marshes about the middle of March 
are all, as far as I was able to judge, in full breeding-plumage : in order to he certain, a couple were shot 
(March 2Gth, 1873), Avhich proved to be in that state. On March 28th, 1883, I killed on the coast of Sussex, 
Avith one barrel, an adult in full Avinter and a young one in immature plumage *. On May 4th, 1859 tAvo birds 
were shot in Rye Nook, in Sussex, shoAving full adult Avinter plumage. That this species does not assume the 
full plumage at the age of one year appears evident. lYhether they pair and nest before the age of three 
years is, I consider, doubtful. 
The eggs of the Redshank are sent in large numbers to the local markets from the marshes of the east of 
Norfolk. For the table they can scarcely compare with those of the Peewit, from which they may readily be 
distinguished by the warmer tints of the ground and blotches as Avell as the gloss on the shell; in size they are 
also slightly smaller. I have more than once come across eight eggs in the nest of a Redshank ; but on every 
occasion it Avas evident that tAvo birds had laid in the same nest, each set of eggs differing materially in the 
tone of colouring. ^ 
The young shortly after hrcaking the shell are covered with a light yellowish-brown down, pater about the 
throat, breast, and belly. A few conspicuous black or dark brown markings appear on the back the head 
being mottled with dark brown. On the upper portions of the body the down is of a more tawny hue The 
legs and beak are of a pale brown or dirty flesh tint, the ridge of the upper mandible being somewhat darker. 
• The latter eihibited Uttle er no ehange in plumage or colour of boat and lego from immature specimens obtained in 
