BIRDS. 
311 
been known to catch between forty and fifty dozen in a 
season. 
THE KNOT (Tringa Canutus,) 
Is a small bird, whose head and back are of a dusky ash- 
colour, or dark grey ; while the lower part of the body is 
pure white, or white varied by black lines. The sides 
under the wings spotted with brown. The bird weighs 
about four ounces and a half. It generally makes its ap- 
pearance in Lincolnshire in the beginning of winter; and 
abides there for two or three months, after which the 
birds fly off in flocks. They are caught in great numbers 
by nets, into which they are decoyed by carved wooden 
figures, painted to represent themselves, and placed 
within them, much in the same way as the ruff. When 
the Knot is fat, its flesh is accounted excellent food. It 
is also fattened for sale, and then considered equal to the 
ruff in flavour. The season for taking it is from August 
to November, after which the frost compels it to disap- 
pear. This bird is said to have been a favourite dish with 
Canute the Great ; and Camden observes that its name is 
derived from his Knute, or Knout, as he was called 
which, in process of time, has been changed to Knot. 
