KNOT. 
285 
The weight 'of this species of sandpiper, is four ounces and a half ; 
leng th about nine inches ; bill dusky brown, an inch and a quarter long- ; 
irides hazel ; the top of the head, neck, back, and wing-s, ash-colour ; ' 
from the bill to the eye a dusky streak ; over the eye a white one ; 
coverts of the wing-s 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. 
