404 



GAME BIRDS OF CALIFORNIA 



The case of the Greater Yellow-legs at Los Bafios, Merced County, 

 may be cited as an example of the value of continuous, recorded obser- 

 vations in one locality. R. H. Beck collected for the California 

 JMuseum of Vertebrate Zoology at this locality during the winter of 

 1911-1912, and to judge the status of this species from the specimens 

 secured would give a quite different idea from that obtained by an 

 examination of his field notes. The following table, compiled from 

 Beck's notebook has added to it memoranda of specimens taken and 

 now in the Museum : 



1912 

 several 

 several 



about two dozen; one taken 

 three or four seen 

 several; five taken 

 several; one taken 

 not rare 

 one taken 

 not rare 

 one taken 



four or five; one taken 

 one flock of 22;' others seen; 



seven taken 

 common; one flock of two 

 dozen; usually one or two 

 at a time along some 

 water; five taken 

 one taken 



eight and several single birds 

 two or three; one taken 

 two dozen or so; one taken 

 six taken 

 few seen; one taken 



1912 

 Jan. 2 two dozen or so; one taken 

 Jan. 3 few 

 Jan. 15 several 

 Jan. 24 three or four 

 Feb. 15 several 

 Feb. 23 two or three taken 

 Mar. 4 six or eight; one taken 

 Mar. 6 a half dozen seen 

 Mar. 11 twelve or more 



Apr. 15 



Probably more dates would have been recorded in the above table 

 had Mr. Beck spent a part of every day in the field ; but a goodly 

 portion of liis time was spent in the preparation of specimens so that 

 sometimes several days would elapse without any extensive observa- 

 tions in the field. The value of such observations as the above, becomes 

 evident when it is recalled that the information previously on record 

 in published literature was inadequate to establish this bird as a 

 regular winter visitant within the state. 



The Greater Yellow-legs is to be distinguished from other waders 

 by its moderately large size, general appearance of slenderness, espe- 

 cially in flight, slender straight bill, mottled upper surface, white 

 upper tail coverts which give the effect of a white rump patch, and 

 especially by its long, slender, yellow legs. From its nearest relative, 

 the Lesser Yellow-legs, it is to be distinguished on the basis of size, 



