banks on the Antrim side of Belfast Bay, rising high into the air, and passing through evolutions similar to

those of the Dunlin. The first time they swept past, though at some distance, they actually startled me by

their silvery flash. It was within two hours of high water ; and the atmosphere was in a most singular state.

There was frost, and had been for a few days previously ; the sea-banks over which the tide flows, and which
have usually a cold, wet, muddy aspect, now appeared dry, as if baked,
alighted a great number of Dunlins took their stand at one extremity

and of a rich brown and dark green
colour. When the large body of Knots
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 be imagined. The Gulls, too, were
conspicnous 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. Harting kindly favoured me
with the following notes :—* The Knot is found throughout Europe as a migratory species in spring
and autumn; but 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 1s
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 bas occurred accidentally in Australia, specimens having been obtained by
Strange in Moreton Bay; it also visits New Zealand.

“Tt 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 winter the bill and tarsi are
greenish grey, and the soles of the feet yellowish clay-colour.

«T think the Knot is one of the tamest of our shore-birds, and will allow a very near approach 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 froma considerable
distance. It ran the whole way, 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, when 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 walked 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 winter 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 with white or greyish white. As a bird for the table, although not equal to the
Snipe, itis by no means despicable ; and many thousands are annually sent to our merken 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 fac bontonenl 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 wary, and, except in dirty weather, are not to be approached
by the aid of a gunning-punt. Those which arrive in August and September usually leave again in October.
Overton, the Blakeney gunner, once shot two hundred and thirty Knots, twenty-five Grey Plovers, and
eighteen Redshanks. Now, as the weight of the Knot is from four and a half to ae ounces, and that of the
oe and Redshanks even prone in a utilitarian point of view this shot was an important one.

lhe Plate represents the bird in summer and autumn plumage, and the young of the year, all of the natural
size.