In summer the male has the upper parts black mottled with white, except the rump, and upper tail coverts, which are white, barred with black. Under parts black. Bill black, red at base of lower mandible; legs and feet deep red. The female at this season often has a white chin. In autumn the upper parts and neck are ashy brown mottled with white; under parts white. The young differ from the autumn plumage of the adults in having the chin white and the rest of the under parts thickly barred with ash brown. Length 13 in.; wing 6·6 in. This species lacks the white wing bar. [Illustration: REDSHANK _Totanus calidris_ Adult, summer (right) SPOTTED REDSHANK _Totanus fuscus_ (Linnæus) Young in autumn (left)] GREENSHANK Totanus canescens (J. F. Gmelin) In a few places in Scotland where large tracts of pine forest exist some small boggy swamps varying in size from two or three acres to perhaps half an acre, may be found situated in the midst of the woods. These swamps form the summer home of the few Greenshanks that nest with us. The eggs are placed on a tussock in the centre of one of these bogs, so that to reach them is by no means an easy matter, and so cunning are these birds that they are seldom seen feeding on the swamp where they nest, but prefer to dine elsewhere. The eggs are generally of a light stone colour, boldly blotched and marked with darker brown. As soon as the young are hatched the parents remain in constant attendance, and should any one disturb the peace of their solitude, fly round, calling out incessantly. Amid such surroundings, therefore, be it in Scotland, Sweden, Finland, or elsewhere, the Greenshank is born, but as soon as he is able to fly at about five weeks old he departs with his parents for the nearest sea-shore where the mud-flats exposed at each tide afford him abundant nourishment. He is a wild and restless bird, and continually utters his clear “tui-tui” when on the wing. As a rule he is more partial to ditches filled and emptied at every tide than a broad flat expanse of mud, and by walking quickly along a ditch he may often be closely approached and watched as he probes the soft ooze for worms, shrimps, sand-hoppers, or anything that may come handy. At the least sign of danger, however, he is off, calling out as he rises and displaying a very conspicuous white rump. Although liking to associate with others of his kind, his wild flight soon breaks up the family party, so that by the time he reaches our shores in August and September it is generally in twos and threes. The abundance of food on the shore has not been without its effect, and he is at this time of year exceedingly fat, doubtless a wise provision, as both old and young are moulting and migrating, which must be a serious tax on their system.