Greenshank (Totanus canescens), a bird of the snipe family (Scolopacidae), in the same genus as the redshank and some of the sandpipers. It is about the size of a woodcock (14 inches in length), but has much longer legs; the general colours of the plumage are brown and gray, the latter prevailing in winter, when the under surface is pure white; the bill is about 2 inches long; the tail is short. The greenshank nests on the ground, which the eggs (four) more or less resemble in colour; when disturbed the bird behaves and cries very much like a lapwing. The food consists of small animals of all sorts. In spring and autumn small flocks occur on the British coasts or by inland lakes; in Ireland it often winters, and in the north of Scotland may even breed. Its general range is virtually co-extensive with the eastern hemisphere. See Howard Saunders, Manual of British Birds.