KNOT. 
THING A CANUTU&. 
-iloiK. th^ ^ tl ”i ‘"-“ty-five years* the aumber ot Knots making their appearance in 
■ p „ a on the outhcrn and eastern counties of England have gradually decreased. This fallin- off 
IS somenhat unintelligible taken in connection n-itli the fact that on the return journey from their breedin- 
grounds immense flocks still arrive at the usual season, the first comers striking the land as far north 
as the flat shores of Koss-shire and Sutherland. As autumn advances, the multitudes, for the most 
p. t in immature plumage, spread soutliward, till early in September the sand-hanks and muddy estuaries 
horderiiig on he Channel are reached. In winter the movements of Knots are somewhat urdrZ 
wind and weather frequently compelling them to make a sudden change of quarters. From personaj 
observation I am unable to give any particulars concerning the distribution !f this species alonl tl 
“iLU es'Tf:;- 1 r ana" i:i ;mot 
Outer Hebudes I failed to detect a single specimen, though continually on the look-out when 
on shore and afloat. Only small parties, according to my own experience, find their way to inland 
:itl:da“;e:^ “ — s mund our coasts forming the favouriti resorts of 
nhim?“’“ “iT"" “ *“ ““ ‘ha fall hreedin- 
L “ , “““ats I oeeasionally came across Knots Tn 
May 30. Soon after daybreak made out a flock composed mainly of Grey Plover on the flat, 
by the channel. Being unable to identify the whole of their number, the hie gun iva fl ed w len t 
™ known proved to he a couple of Knots; one showed the full winter plumage lithout .a Jn o^ a "d“ 
catl er while he other was but slightly advanced. The Plovers also were exceedingly backivai-d only 1 
single bird exhibiting a perfectly black breast.” ^ nxwaia, only a 
So late do some few stragglers (probably weak or backward birds of the previous year) remain that 
IS doubtful whether they quit our shores to start for the far north; wounds^lso may oau o e ^ 
delay their journey if not entirely di.sahling them. In June 1868 I visited the Dloch Si „„ 
veral occasions in pursuit of broods of Sheldrakes ; on the 20th, and again on the 23rd, a small flock 
Bar ""K^t T™ Bai-failed Godwits and Knots were noticed resorting to the sand-banks in Eddertou 
y. ot having a punt on the water, I was unable to approach sufficiently close to obtain specimens 
examination; there was, however, no difficulty in ascertaining that the half-dozen Knots were bv no 
means in full summer plumage, but few red feathers showing among the grey of winter. 
t Ihe same irregularity is also shown by Bar-tailed Godwits, Grey Plovers, and Curlew Sandpipers. 
