GREEN T0TANTJ8. 
211 
shot in Dumfries-shire', were killed in spring, at the 
mouth of a small tributary of the Annan, where 
they remained some days — notice having been sent 
to Mr. Murray of their being there, as a bird not 
known : they had also been seen near the same 
spot in previous years. Once or twice the Green 
Totanus has been seen near Jardine Hall in winter, 
stationary for some weeks, frequenting the banks 
of the Annan, where it is was soft, or some large 
ditches. One was shot in January 1836, which 
had remained for some time, and was frequently 
seen in some ditches, sheltered all around with 
wood. When disturbed, it would not continue flit- 
ting along the ditch, but would at once rise over 
the trees, and leave for the time ; its return being 
often intimated by its shrill whistle, when passing 
in, before alighting. In the south of England it 
appears to be more frequent, decreasing north- 
ward ; and, although there is no instance on record 
of the nest being found, it is more than probable 
that a few pairs have occasionally brought out 
their young. Mr. Blyth and Mr. Salmon consider 
that it does; and, from the old birds being by 
others also met with in summer, arid young spe- 
cimens in the first plumage (but quite able to 
migrate), having been killed very early in autumn, 
it has been concluded that it may occasionally 
incubate with us. In Ireland it is seen in some- 
what similar proportions. Over the Continent of 
Europe, from all accounts, it is pretty equally 
distributed, but is no where very abundant, and 
