KNOT. 
3 
the eagerness they displayed while overhauling a brood of Eiders somewhat disconcerted the elder portion 
of the ciew. Ihis was probably their first experience in shooting, and the quaint remarks they uttered, 
as well the excitement shown in the sport, was most amusing. ‘Eh! but yon’s a bonnie slauchter ! ’ 
exclaimed the leader, Avhen despatched to collect the slain, as, springing on the rocks, they started in 
pursuit of the cripples rapidly making tlieir Avay among the broken ledges. After a few minutes’ search, 
between fifty and sixty, all in immature plumage, were gathered, several having been carried away by 
the tide, and others escaping, owdng to the roughness of the ground ” 
n the northern and eastern coasts a heavy gale during autumn and wdnter frequently causes the 
movement of large bodies of Knots along the shore, the course held being usually head to w'ind. The 
following lines are from my notes in Korfolk in 1872 and East Lothian in 1871: — “November 11, 1872. 
Gale of wind with squalls of rain from north-north-east. Knots in flocks of from fifty to one hundred, 
intermixed occasionally with Grey Plover and a few Turnstones, were flying all day to the north along 
the larniouth beach. Though this gale, commencing on the 11th, did not abate till the evening of the 
IGtli, I remarked that but few Knots were seen after the first day.” “September 18, 1871. Blmving 
a gale from west and south- wmst. While on the shore between Canty Bay and North Berwick, I 
noticed immense flocks of Knots flying along the coast in the face of the storm. There rvere also 
thousands of Dunlins and a few Grey Plovers and Turnstones.” 
On the coast of Sussex I have repeatedly remarked that dirty weather setting in, with rain and 
W'lnd from the south or south-south-west, about the middle of September, brings large numbers of Knots 
into the muddy harbours ^ and saltwnter estuaries. Immature Bar-tailed God wits, clouds of diminutive 
B aders, and Terns of various species usually accompany them into the sheltered waters, all parties seekin<- 
to escape the bufletings of the raging storm outside. No sooner do the drifting squalls abate and the 
weather gives signs of moderating, than with the first gleams of sunshine breaking through the elouds 
the weary fugitives appear to pluck up strength and, winging their wmy across the dreary shingle banks 
cigtiin bctcikc tliGmsclvGs to tlic oj)gh cocist-liiic. 
Unfortunately for their own welfare Knots, and especially the young birds, are the most unsuspicious 
0 the feathered tribe. Occasionally in winter and early spring I have met Avith large flocks as wild 
and unapproachable as tbe watchful Curlew ; but, as a rule, continued persecution will be required to put 
them on their guard. They may commonly be seen in company Avith almost every species of Wader 
that frequents the mudflats ; it is seldom, unless wounded, that a solitary Knot is observed. On the 
south coast I have often remarked a single bird or a pair the most conspicuous figures in a small party 
of^ Dunlins, avIiiIc on the shores of the Highland firtlis flocks of hundreds, if not thousands, commonly 
join in company Avith immense bodies of Bar-tailed Godwits. 
II hen shooting on any extensive mudflats, I have often decoyed small parties of Waders, and 
occasionally ca en large flocks, by placing out a number of Avooden dummies * : Knots and Dunlins 
were usually the first to gather, and their presenee would speedily attract the more Avary species. A 
short extraet from my notes while gunning on Breydon during the autumn of 1871 will give some idea 
of the actions of Knots after alighting to the decoys, as Avell as an account of the various Waders to 
be met with at that season on those well-known mudflats The Aveather turned exceedingly eoarse 
during tlie afternoon (September 8), and several Wigeon and Curlew were bagged. September 9 : on 
reaching our former station sliortly before daybreak, a large flock of Waders were deteeted feeding on the 
* The dummies I employed were carved out of wood, and painted to represent Godwits, Plovers, and Knots. Their beaks and legs were of 
iron, the latter screwed securely into small pieces of board from four to six inches square, according to the size of the bird. When arranged on the 
mud, head to wind, it was impossible to detect the imposition at any distance. Unlike stuffed birds, these decoys were never injured by wet or 
weather, and the damages caused by a charge of shot were easily effaced by a small application of putty and a fresh coat of paint. 
