1 
banks on the Antrim side of Belfast Bay, rising high into the air, and passing throiigli evolutions similar to 
those of the Dunlin. The first time they swept past, though at some distance, they actually startled me hy 
their silvery flash. It was within two hours of high water; and the atmosphere was in a most singidar state. 
There was frost, and had been for a few days previously ; the sea-hanks over which the tide flows, and which 
have usually a cold, wet, muddy aspect, now appeared dry, as if baked, and of a rich brown and dark green 
colour. When the large body of Knots alighted a great number of Dunlins took their stand at one extremity 
of the flock. They were nearly half a mile from the road on which I was ; and as every individual of the 
many hundreds was distinctly seen, of a silvery whiteness, running about feeding on what appeared a rich 
green carpet of Zostera marina, the singularity of the scene may readily he imagined. The Gulls, too, were 
conspicuous for two miles, though appearing gradually smaller as they dotted the more distant beach. 
The light was of such a nature that, while each Knot and Dunlin looked silvery white, every Gull appeared 
of the purest snowy hue.” While this page was going through the press, Mr. Darting kindly favoured me 
with the following notes : — The Knot is found thi’oughout Europe as a migratory species in spring 
and autumn ; hut a good many remain to winter on the southern coast. It passes down the west coast 
of Africa through Damaraland (where the late Mr. Andersson obtained specimens) to the Cape ; it is not 
found in Egypt, nor on the east coast of Africa. It visits the Atlantic shores of America; but in Asia it is 
rare. Two specimens only are known to have been procured in India — one in winter plumage, obtained in 
the Calcutta bazaar, and one assuming the summer plumage, killed in southern India ; the latter is now in 
the Calcutta Museum. It has occurred accidentally in Australia, specimens having been obtained by 
Strange in Moreton Bay; it also visits New Zealand. 
“ It is remarkable that the colour of the bill, legs, and feet in this species varies according to season ; in 
summer they are nearly black, the soles of the feet greenish clay-colour. In Avinter the bill and tarsi are 
greenish grey, and the soles of the feet yellowish clay-colour. 
“ I think the Knot is one of the tamest of our shore-birds, and will allow a very near aj)proach before 
taking wing, especially in autumn, when the flocks are composed for the most part of young birds. It is very 
easily decoyed, too, by an imitation of its note, even when the gunner is not concealed. When out in Pagham 
Harbour after Grey Plovers and Curlews, I have frequently called Knots right over the punt ; and lying down 
in the punt in a deep gully waiting for the tide, I have called a single Knot over the mud from a considerable 
distance. It ran the whole Avay, calling at intervals in reply to me, and at length came so close that I might 
have knocked it down with an oar. I did, indeed, try to touch it with the muzzle of my gun, Avhen it rose 
and flew away, the man who was with me in the punt exclaiming ‘ If you’d only kept on calling. Sir, I really 
believe he’d have Avalked into the boat.’ I mention this to show how tame and confiding this bird is.” 
There is scarcely any one of the Sandpipers that has more pleasing associations connected with it than the 
Knot. The seasonal changes it assumes are both curious and interesting. Its Avlnter garb is totally different 
from its rich summer dress, while the young, during the first autumn, have all the light-grey feathers of the 
back crescented Avlth Avbite or greyish white. As a bird for the table, although not equal to the 
Snipe, it is by no means despicable ; and many thousands are annually sent to our markets for consumption as 
food. The extreme tameness of its disposition deprives any true sportsman of the desire to destroy it ; and it 
is principally those who live by their gun, the men who traverse the broads in their flat-bottomed boats, and 
whose nasal organs are accustomed to the odour of the mud they almost breathe, that supply our markets by 
the tithe they take of the birds during their flight. “ The first flights,” says Mr. Stevenson, “ are described 
by Mr. Dowell as by no means difficult of approach ; ‘ but as the season advances and more arrive, they 
assemble in larger flocks, and are then more Avary, and, except in dirty Aveather, are not to be approached 
by the aid of a gunning-punt. Those Avhich arriA^e in August and September usually leave again in October. 
Overton, the Blakeney gunner, once shot tAvo hundred and thirty Knots, tAventy-fiA'^e Grey Plovers, and 
eighteen Redshanks. Now, as the weight of the Knot is from four and a half to six ounces, and that of the 
Plovers and Redshanks even more, in a utilitarian point of vieAv this shot AA'as an important one. 
The Plate represents the bird in summer and autumn plumage, and the young of the year, all of the natural 
size. 
