21" GEEATEB YELLOW LEGS. 



Thi^ Lessor Yullowlegs remain in Massiichusotts until late in September, when they all de- 

 part southward, and although very abundant in autumn, they are seldom seen in this sec- 

 tion in spring, e\idently reaching their nortliern breeding grounds by migrating througli 

 the interior. They are not strictly confined to the coast in autumn, however, but are Ibund. 

 throughout the Wesi? 



TOTAl^US MEIiANOIiEUCUS. 

 Greater Yellowlegs. 

 Tetanus melanoleucus Vieill., Nuuv. Diet.; 11^16, 400. 

 DESCBIPTION. 

 Sp. Cii Form, slenilei-. Size, large. Tongue, Ion;; and t'lm. tnpcringtoward tip whichis horny andpointed. Mem- 

 brane between tues, not large. Inner marginal indeutalions large and never inclosed. Leg.';, very long. Cffiea, '-mall, on- 

 ly -40 long. 



Color. Adult. Above, ■lark-broAvn. streaked, .'spotted, and landed, with while. Eumpand u|pertail coverts, white,. 

 faiuHy banded with dusky. Tail, liuely banded wit'.i white. Beneath, white, streaked on neck and brea-t and banded on. 

 sides, with dark-hrown. 



Youn<j. Similar to the adult, but more ashy above, and the streakings bensath are n t as well delined. Iris, brown, 

 bill, black, and feet, yellow, in all stages. 



OBSERVATIONS. 



Beadllv known from all ot' ei's liy t!ie large size, strai^'ht, slender bUl, long yellow legs, while, slightly banded ruiup, 

 and colors as dc-cribed. Distributed, in summsr. throughout Arctic Aaierica. Winters f.-oui the C.vroknas, souil.ward. 



DIMENSIONS. 



Average measurements of specimens from Eastern North America. Length, 13-90; stretch, 24"3.'i: wring. 7-95; t.iil. 3 I.'J; 

 bill,2'311; tarsus, 2'4J. L )n:5est.sp.^ci.Qen, 14".25; gi-eat-'st extent of wing, 23'5t; 1. ingest wing, 8'70; tail, 3 30; bill, 'i'^G; t.ir- 

 sus, 2 T.I. S-iortest .s;>eci;ueii, 12' 15; .sm.Ulesi, ext--atof wing, aS'iilt; shortest wing, 7'15; tail, 2-9J; bill, 2'05; tarsus, 2 25. 



HABITS. 

 Alt'aough resembling the preceding species in many habits, the Greater Yellowlegs do 

 not appear in Massachusetts until, at letxst six weeks, after the first Summer Yellowleg has 

 come, and they remain late in the season; consequently are sometimes termed Winter Yel- 

 lowlegs They frequent much the .same grounds as the smaller species and associate with 

 them; but are nuich shyer birds and when approached, will sound their loud, whistling cry, 

 raise their long wings once or twice, then rise, whistling as they go, generally followed by 

 all their smaller companions. In the South, they are particularly abundant, and may be seen 

 wading in the pools or shallow margins of the rivers iind lagoons, feeding upon smtiU fish- 

 es, crustaceans, etc. On their wa}' north, the Greater Yellowlegs pass Massachusetts, and 

 their loud, cheery whistle, coming to the ear IVom over the marshes, which are just show- 

 ing a tinge of green, proclaims that the pleasant summer days are rapidly approaching. 

 Although both Yellowlegs are classed among the game birds, I cannot say that I consider 

 their flesli particularly fine eating, as it is apt to be dry and strong. Well authenticated 

 eggs ol' the Greater Yellowlegs, tippear (o be rare ;tnd I have never had an opportunity of 

 examining one. 



TOTANUS SEMIPALMATirs. 



Willet. 



Tutr.nu!' M-mipa'matiis Tiji'.i., J!an. Crn. II; G37. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Sp. Cii F^rm, robust. Size, large. Bill, stout. Tongue, long, thiu and slender, tajiering gradually toward tip which 

 is pointed. Membrane between toes, large. Leg-, long and stout. JIarginal indentations, saiall, but never incl-jsed. 



