276 prj:cocial grallatores — limicol.e. 



met Avith this bird in considerable numbers as far north as latitude 71° 54' ; and at 

 Fort York he has known it to be shot as late as the latter part of October. At this 

 time it is in its greatest perfection, and is said to be delicious eating. 



It is not noted in the ninth volume of the "Pacific Eailroad Report" as occurring 

 ■west of the Missouri, j-et Mr. J. A. Allen found it in considerable numbers about the 

 lagoons of Eastern Kansas in the earlier part of May, and afterward in August ; he 

 also saw it at Lake Pass, in Colorado, and a few were found in September in the 

 Valley of Great Salt Lake. It was not noticed by Mr. Eidgway in Utah or Nevada ; 

 but it has been found very abundant in August and September throughout Dakota 

 and Montana, where it was invariably seen associating with the melanoleurxi. Both 

 species are there the most unsuspecting of the Waders, so that they may be approached 

 without the slightest difficulty. Mr. L. Belding, in the winter of 1878-1879, procured 

 a specimen on the coast of California. 



In the ValU'v of the Mississippi this species is a regular migrant both in the 

 spring and in the fall. It is much more abundant in its autumnal movement, and 

 much more common, than the melanoleuca, coming later and departing earlier than that 

 species. None remain to breed near Lake Koskonong, where, in tlie fall, they again 

 become very abundant. 



It was met with at Fort Resolution from May 5th to the 14th, in 1860, by Mr. R. 

 Kennicott ; on the Yukon River, in June, by Mr. Lockhart ; at Fort Simpson, from 

 May 15th to the 29tli, by Mr. B. R. Ross ; at Big Island by Mr. Reid ; and was found 

 in great abundance by Mr. MacFarlane at Fort Anderson, on Anderson River, at 

 Horton River, Rendezvous Lake, etc. 



On the Atlantic coast it begins to appear, in its migrations soutliAvard, in July, 

 and its movements continue through August. It returns in the spring, but comes as 

 late as May 15. In Massachusetts Mr. William Brewster has taken it from July 15 

 to September 1, and has noted its passing north occasionally as early as the first part 

 of May. A large flock was observed by Mr. Frank B. Tileston near Boston, May 

 3, 1875. It is (piite common near Calais in both these migrations. 



On Long Island, according to Giraud, and also on the coast of New Jersey, this 

 species arrives in the early part of May. It is said to associate in flocks, and to fre- 

 quent the muddy flats Avhich are left bare at the recess of the tide. At high water it 

 resorts to the ponds on the beaches and meadows, where it collects its food, which 

 consists of small shellfish, Avorms, and insects. Occasionally it may be seen Avading 

 into the shalloAV Avater in })uvsuit of small fishes. It is conspicuously gregarious in 

 habit, and is constantly calling upon others to unite Avith it. its shrill cry betraying 

 its presence to the huntcn-. It is readily attracted by decoys, ansAvering the foAvler's 

 Avhistle, and, if the sportsman is Avell concealed, gliding directly up to the decoys, 

 gradually loAvering its long legs, Avhich, Avhen it flies, project beyond its tail-feathers. 

 It is much more timid than the Red-breasted Snipe, yet, like that species, when 

 invited by the hunter's Avhistle, Avill not infrequently return and receive his second 

 fire. The cry of this species is A^ery shrill, consisting of three or more notes. When 

 Avounded in the Aving it Avill run very fast, and Avill often conceal itself so successfully 

 in the long grass as to escape detection. It is often seen on streams in the interior. 

 Its flesh is not particularly good, yet it meets with a ready sale in the Ncav York 

 market, and large nund)ers are shot to supply the demand. Giraud mentions one 

 instance in Avhich one hundred and six Avere killed by the single discharge of a 

 double-barrelled gim into a flock that was sitting along the beach. In the latter part 

 of August the YelloAvshank begins to move soutliAvard, and in September all have 

 usually retired from the shores of Long Island. 



