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TOTANUS FUSClIS. 
It breeds in Finmark and Northern Russia eastward to the Petchora, and also in Norway. On the 
last-named river Mr. Seebohm found it in small troops in June at Habariki, where it appeared to be 
breedings but its nest was not found. Further north than this Von Heuglin considers he saw it on Vi aigats 
Island; between the north coast of Europe and Nova Zemla. In Southern Russia it only occurs on 
passage. 
Going south again to trace out its African range, we find Col. Irby stating that it occurs on passage in 
spring and autumn at the Straits of Gibraltar, on the Tangier side of which Favier notes that it frequents 
salt marshes and lagoons in September and October. It was observed in Algeria by Loche ; and in Egypt it 
is sparingly distributed, according to Captain Shelley, who met with it only at Salikara in Central Egypt 
on the 7th of April. Von Heuglin identifies a flock of eight birds which he met with at Ras Bclul on the 
Red Sea in September as belonging to this species, but he was unable to procure a specimen. Layard 
procured one specimen at Knysna in Cape colony. 
Habits. — In India the Dusky Redshank frequents the borders of rivers and lakes on the sea-coast, 
and is also found about flooded marshes and in the vicinity of jheels. In the Point-Pedro district 
Lavard probably met with it on the back-waters and on the muddy foreshores of the salt lagoons which 
intersect the Jaffna peninsula, and which constitute a paradise for all the Waders which visit the north coast 
of Ceylon. 
Like its smaller congener last noticed it is generally shy and wary. It congregates more in flocks 
than the Common Redshank, although it may often be met with singly. In Sardinia Mr. A. B. Brooke 
noticed that they were “ wild and independent, never seeming to care much for the company of other 
Sandpipers, but when disturbed separating at once, and generally flying a long distance before alighting.” 
When in small flocks, feeding, it keeps in close company and walks quickly, picking up its food as it proceeds. 
Its diet consists of worms, aquatic insects, minute crustaceans, and the spawn of fish and frogs. It is said 
to be able to swim well and to dive on the approach of danger from a bird of prey or when being pursued 
after being wounded. Its note is a shrill whistle, which some writers liken to the syllables tshweet, tshiveet. 
Naumann says that it utters a low note of welcome, like tick, tick, tack, when one joins its companions ; and 
in the breeding-season it has a cry which Mr. Wo! ley likens to tjeuty. Mr. Dresser remarks that it frequents 
inland situations much more than the Common Redshank, affecting morasses where there are little open 
sheets of water. 
Nidification. — The Dusky Redshank, as far as Europe is concerned, breeds in Finland, Mr. Wolley 
having been the first to discover its eggs and breeding-haunts. In Asia it doubtless nests in Northern 
Siberia, not far short of the latitude of the Arctic circle. From Mr. Wol ley’s interesting letters addressed to 
Mr. Hewitson I subjoin the following extract, taken from Mr. Dresser’s ‘ Birds of Europe.’ After referring to 
its cry, which, he says, has a local meaning, signifying burnt ivood, Mr. Wolley remarks : — “ Certain it is that 
this black bird not unfrequently lays its eggs in a part of the forest which has formerly been burnt ; and here is 
one of its most unexpected singularities — a marsh-bird choosing the driest possible situation, even hills of 
considerable height. I have myself seen two nests so placed ; and one of them at least was on ground 
which, from charred wood lying about, had evidently been burnt at some former period. They were nearly 
at the top of long hills, many hundred yards from marshy places, with good-sized firs on all sides 
The bird sits sometimes so close that one is tempted to try and catch it in the hand, its white back conspicuous 
as it crouches with its neck drawn in. It either gets up direct or runs a short way before it rises ; and then 
it flies round with an occasional tjeuty, or stands upon the top of a neighbouring tree, showing the full length 
of its slender legs, neck, and bill. But it is not till it has young that all its powers of eloquence are fully 
brought into play : it then comes far to meet any intruder, floating over him with a clear cry that echoes 
through the forest, or that is heard over a great extent of marsh, or it stands very near one, bowing its 
head, opening its beak quite wide in the energy of its gesticulations.” Air. Meeves, in writing to 
Mr. Dresser, says that “ the nest is merely a depression in a tussock which is overgrown with moss, lichens, 
and blueberry -plants ; the inside of the nest is lined with leaves.” The eggs are four in number, and are 
