406 GAME BIBDS OF CALIFORNIA 



the bird usually moves in a direct line, although in one case it was 

 seen to dip and dart erratically when flushed from the banks of a salt 

 water pond. Often, as the hunter is standing on the marsh or seated 

 in a blind, the call-notes of a company of this species high in the air 

 will reach his ear long before the birds themselves become visible. They 

 sweep down with set wings, usually circling one or more times about 

 the spot on which they have chosen to alight, as if to make sure that 

 no danger lurks there. Then they settle down, and as soon as their 

 long legs have touched the ground their wings are extended full- 

 length above their backs and then deliberately folded. If the flock 

 which thus alights is of any size the individuals composing it spread 

 out over the marsh upon alighting and often mingle with the other 

 shore birds found there. Also when alighting over decoys they spread 

 out, and this trait saves them from slaughter such as is dealt to 

 species that bunch together. When on the ground and not feeding, 

 they stand motionless save for a rather impressive "upward bow" 

 at long intervals. This species is easily decoyed by imitating its 

 whistle, and the birds may be called from a considerable distance in 

 this way. Even after a flock has been fired at as it flies by, or as it 

 starts to settle among decoys, it will return in response to the cries 

 of its wounded companions or to another whistle by the hunter, and 

 it seemingly does not learn to avoid the danger until it has been fired 

 upon several times. Thus does community interest or sympathy over- 

 come the native wariness of individuals. 



Authentic instances of the nesting of the Greater Yellow-legs are 

 still few in number although it is surmised that the breeding range 

 covers a large territory, approximating that portion of North America 

 between latitudes 50° and 60°, and from British Columbia or even 

 southeastern Alaska to Ungava. This is not an Arctic species; it 

 does not range north as far as the limit of timber. Several breeding 

 instances have been established for British Columbia, notably at Fort 

 George, May 20, 1890, and Fort St. James, May 31, 1889 (Cooke, 1910, 

 p. 55) ; and Rhoads (1893, p. 36) found young at Clinton, in the same 

 territory; while Brooks (1903, p. 281) records finding young in the 

 Cariboo district by June 15. Reed (1904, p. 120) records eggs from 

 Whale River, Ungava, taken June 10, 1902; "the eggs are generally 

 laid on the ground, near a marsh or on the bank of a stream. Avith little 

 or no lining to the nest. They are grayish wliite, lioldly splashed 

 with several shades of brown, and with lilac." 



During the breeding season "... both sexes stand sentinel on 

 the tops of trees in the vicinity of the nest, rarely alighting on the 

 ground during the presence of an intruder. The neAvly fledged young 

 often follow the exain})le of their parents in this respect. From this 

 elevated position the male keeps up an incessant clamor throughout 



