7 ^ 
BRITISH BIRDS. 
and a ftroke of the fame colour paffed over each 
eye. All the upper parts of the plumage were dark- 
ifh brown, but more deep and gloffy on the crown 
of the head, back and fcapulars, and each feather 
was edged with afh or grey : the under parts were 
a cream-coloured white, llreaked or fpotted with 
brown on the fides and vent : the greater coverts of 
the wings, tipped with white, which formed a bar 
acrofs them when extended : the legs reddifh yek 
low, and ftiort, not meafuring more than two inches 
and one-eighth from the middle toe nail to the 
knee ; the thighs feathered very nearly to the knee 5 
toes divided without any connecting membrane. 
This bird is caught in Lincolnfhire and the other 
fenny counties, in great numbers, * by nets, into 
which it is decoyed by carved wooden figures, 
painted to reprefent itfelf, and placed within them, 
much in the fame way as the Ruff. It is alfo fat- 
tened for fale, and efteemed by many equal to the 
Ruff in the delicacy of its flavour. The feafon for 
taking it is from Auguft to November, after which 
the frofl compels it to difappear. 
This bird is faid to have been a favourite difh 
with Canute, king of England ; and Camden obr 
ferves, that its name is derived from his — Knute, 
or Knout, as he was called, which, in procefs of 
time, has been changed to Knot. 
^ Pennant fays fourteen dozen have been taken at oqee. 
