420 GAME BIBDS OF CALIFOENJA 



ment will frighten them, after which no amount of skillful whistling 

 will induce them to return. 



A flock of six observed on the Alameda marsh, upon rising flew in 

 the zigzag manner of sandpipers, but with longer straight flights pre- 

 ceding the changes in direction. When the birds alighted on a sand- 

 bar they stood very erect, and now and then spasmodically raised the 

 head still higher for an instant in a haughty manner — a backward 

 bow ! During high tide the birds retired inland along the sloughs 

 where they stood heel deep, preening, and at short intervals they 

 seemingly rinsed their bills (Grinnell and Storer, MS). 



The flight of the Willet when well under way is quite direct, with 

 a flat wing beat. The wings rarely rise above the level of the back, 

 and consequently the upper surface of the body is almost continually 

 in view. The bird sails with set wings only when descending from a 

 higher to a lower level, or when about to alight. A change in the 

 direction of flight is seemingly accomplished by a difference in the 

 intensity of the two wing beats and a rolling of the body. The feet, 

 which extend considerably beyond the tail, probably assist somewhat 

 in steering. During high tide when the feeding grounds of the Willet 

 are covered with water the birds choose some higher situation which 

 will not be inundated, and there they rest, many of the flock tucking 

 their heads under their wings as they sleep. There is, however, one or 

 more constantly on watch, and on tlie approach of danger a shrill cry 

 of alarm is sounded, the flock at once taking wing and rapidly making 

 off to some safer place (Elliot, 1895, p. 130). 



On the beaches of southern California, Mrs. Bailey (1916&, 

 p. 102) records that 



In the flocks of brown Godwits, the few gray Willets looked small. They 

 fed in the same way as the Godwits though their bills were shorter and they 

 could not i^robe so deep, but they ran their bills ahead of them through the 

 wet sand, probed as far as they could reach, and then trotted back before 

 the oncoming waves. A thoughtless one sat down just at the edge of the water 

 line one day, its back toning in with the sand, its long legs stretched out before 

 it; but soon after it was comfortabty settled up came the foam and it had to 

 bend forward on its tarsus, raise itself and flee up the beach. I often saw one 

 resting, standing on one leg, or sitting at ease with white rump showing. When 

 stretching, the black of the wings showed effectively as it does both when 

 the birds fly up and when they alight with wings raised over the back. Willet, 

 icillet, they often called as they went. 



The Willet may be credited with quite a variety of loud calls and 

 alarm notes. The ordinary calls consist of full, rounded whistles, 

 uttered either singly or in rapid succession. A notably descending 

 inflection is apparent, though on the whole the effect is a staccato one. 

 In addition there is ". . . an interesting flight song; particularly 

 towards evening. ..." During the breeding season one of these 



