496 TOTANUS MELANOLEUCUa, GREATER YELLOWSHANKS. 



upon their enjjfrossinjj duties, and unlikely to observe anything not di- 

 rectly in front of their bill — it is pretty good evidence that they have a 

 nest hard by. It is the same with Avocets, and ])robably many other 

 Maders. During incubation the bird that is "off duty" (both parents 

 are said to take turns at this) almost always indulges in revery, doubt- 

 less rose tinted, and becomes in a corresponding degree oblivious to out- 

 ward things. If then they are not set upon in a manner entirely too 

 rude and boisterous, the inquiring ornithologist could desire no better 

 opportunity than he will have to observe their every motion and atti- 

 tude. But once let them become thoroughly alarmed by too open ap- 

 proach, particularly if the setting bird be driven from her nest, and the 

 scene quickly shifts ; there is a great outcry, violent protest and tumult, 

 where was quietude. Other pairs, nesting near by, join their cries till 

 the confusion becomes general. But now, again, their actions are not 

 those they would show at other times ; for, instead of flying off with the 

 instinct of self-preservation, to put distance betw^een them and danger, 

 they are held by some fascination to the spot, and hover around, wheel- 

 ing about, flying in circles a little ways to return again, with unremit- 

 ting clamor. They may be only too easily destroyed under such circum- 

 stances, provided the ornithologist can lay aside his scruples and steel 

 himself against symi)athy. 



The half- webbing of the toes renders this species something of a swim- 

 mer, if necessity arise ; but it only takes to water beyond its depth 

 under urgent circumstances. In size as well as in plumage it is very 

 variable ; the length of the legs, particularly, varies in different indi- 

 viduals to a surprising degree. 



TOTANUS MELANOLEUOUS, (Gm.) Vieill. 



Greater Telltale ; Greater Tellowshaiiks ; Tattler. 



Scolopax melanoleuca, Gm., Syst. Nat. i, 1788, 659. — Lath., lud. Oru. ii, 1790, 723. 



Totanns melanolencus, Vieill., Nouv. Diet. d'Hist. Nat. 1816. — Licht., Verz. 1823, No. 

 750.— Bp., Syu. 1828, 324 ; List, 1838, 51.— Aur>., Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 68, pi. 

 308.— WOODH., Sitgr. Rep. 1853, 99.— Newb., P. R. R. Rep. vi, 18.57, 96.— 

 Heekm., ihid. x, 18.59, pt. vi, 65.— Coues, Key, 1872, 258.— Finsch, Abh. Nat. 

 iii, 1872, 63.— RiDGW., Ann. Lye. N. Y. x, 1874, 384. 



Ganibetta melanoleuca, Bp., Comptes llendus, 1856, p. — . — Bd., B. N. A, 1858, 731. — 

 Coop. & Suck., N. H. Wash. Ter. 1860, 242.— Wheat., Ohio Agric. Rep. 1860, 

 No. 215.— Coues «fc Pkent., Smiths-. Rep. 1861, 416.— Hayd., Rep. 1862, 174.— 

 BoAijDJi., Pr. Best. Soc. ix, 1862, 129.— Vekk., Pr. Ess. Inst, iii, 1862, 153 

 (Maine, in summer). — Allen, ihid. iv, 1864, 77. — McIlwr., ibid, v, 1866, 93. — 

 Coues, ihid. v, 1868, 295.- Coues, Pr. Phiha. Acad. 1861, 234 (Labrador) ; 1866, ' 

 98 (Arizona); 1871, 32 (North Carolina).— Dress., Ibis, 1866, 38 (Texas).— 

 Coues, Pr. Bost. Soe. xii, 1868, 122.— Lawk., Ann. Lye. viii, 1866, 294; ix, 

 1868, 141 (Costa Rica).— Tup.nb., B. E. Pa. 1869, 31.— Dall & Banx., Tr. Chie. 

 Acad, i, 1869, 292 (Alaska).— Mavn., Guide, 1870. 141.— Allen, Bull. M. C. Z. 

 ii, 1871, 356 (Florida); iii, 1872, 182.— Stev., U. S. Geol. Surv. Ter. 1870, 

 466.— Meru., ihid. 1872, 700 (Wyoming).— Mayn., Pr. Bost. Soc. 1871.— Tkippe, 

 Pr. Bost. Soe. 1872, 241.— Snow, B. Kaus. 1873, 10. 



Scolopax rocifenis, Wils., Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 57, pi. .58, f. 5. 



lotanuH vocij'eruH, Sau., Frank. Journ. 687.— Sw. & Rich., F. B. A. ii, 1831, 389.— Nutt., 

 Man. ii, 1834, 148.— AuD., Syu. 1839, 244; B. Am. v, 1842, 316, pi. 345.— GiR., 

 B. L. I. 1844, 252.— PuTN., Pr. Ess. Inst, i, 1856, 217.— Trippe, ihid. vi, 1871, 

 119.— Hoy, Smiths. Rep. 1864, 438. 



Tolanm samsliew,\i¥.iiA.., Nouv. Diet. d'Hist. Nat. 1816. 



Totatius chilcnsis, Philippi. 



Extralimital quotations are : Ecuador, ScL., P. Z. S. 1858, 461 ; Gnaiemala, ScL., Ibis, 

 i, 1859, 229; Carthaf/ena, Cass., Pr. Phila. Acad. 1860, 195; Cuba, Car., J. f. O. iv, 351 ; 

 Orizaba, ScL., P. Z". S. 1860, 253 ; Jamaica, Scl., P. Z. S. 1861, 80 ; La Plata, Bur.m., 

 Rciso, 503 ; Chili, Pelz., Novara Reise, 131 ; Phil., Cat. 35 ; Bahamas, Bry., Pr. Bost. 



