His long, red
legs--from which he gets his name--are for wading in the shallow, muddy
creeks he loves. Those wide-spreading feet keep him from sinking in the
mud.
The long beak is for probing. As a rule the Redshank digs for his
dinner, though he also picks up any worms or other food on the surface;
but he is nearly always seen probing the mud.
Like all the shore birds, Redshanks are very wary. They have no hedges
or trees for hiding-places, and so must always be on the watch. No
sooner does the Redshank spy you than he is up and, with a shrill
whistle of alarm, flies quickly away.
The marshes are the home of many a bird like the Redshank. They are all
waders and diggers. They live much as he does, and so they have the long
beak and legs, and the spreading feet, to fit them for that life.
We have now looked at a few sea birds, shore birds, and a marsh bird.
Many inland birds, too, are fond of the shore. The artful Jackdaw builds
in the cliffs, and his cousin, the Crow, searches the shore for food.
Even the gay Kingfisher has been seen diving in the seaside pools.
EXERCISES
1.
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