In summer the upper parts are yellowish brown barred and spotted with blackish, the under parts white, profusely streaked on the neck and sides of the breast with ash brown, the flanks being barred with the same colour. Length 11 in.; bill 1·8; wing 6·25 in.
The female resembles the male, and the young may be recognised by the feathers of the mantle having buff spots and the legs being yellow.
The white secondaries are very conspicuous in flight.
THE SPOTTED REDSHANK
Totanus fuscus (Linnæus)
The Spotted Redshank is a rare migrant on both the spring and autumn migrations. In Scotland, Ireland, and the west of England it is almost unknown, but in the eastern counties a few probably occur every year on passage, but their stay is of such short duration that they are often unnoticed.
It breeds in the north of Scandinavia and Russia, laying its eggs in very dry situations at a considerable distance from its marshy feeding-ground. The young are, however, taken to the marsh as soon as they are hatched.
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.
REDSHANK
Totanus calidris
Adult, summer (right)
SPOTTED REDSHANK
Totanus fuscus (Linnæus)
Young in autumn (left)