184 MEMOIRS OF THE NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB. 



have but three records of its occurrence in Essex County in the spring. Two 

 spring specimens are in the collection of the Peabody Academy, one taken by 

 Dr. H. K. Oliver in the spring of 1853, the other a female taken at Ipswich by 

 W. L. Winslow on May 3d, 1884. Mr. William Brewster has a specimen in his 

 mounted collection taken at North Saugus, on April 30th, 1882. In the 

 autumn it arrives earlier and leaves for the south earlier than its cousin the 

 Winter Yellow-legs, being rarely seen after the middle of September. The 

 October nth date is of a bird shot by Mr. T. C. Wilson at Eagle Hill, in 1897, 

 the October 30th, of a bird shot at Newburyport, in 1904. During August 

 they are more common than the larger species. 



In habits and manner of flying, the Lesser resembles the Greater Yellow- 

 legs. Like the latter, it prefers the muddy pools and sloughs of the salt marsh, 

 as well as the marsh itself, although on rare occasions I have seen it at the 

 edge of the waves on the beach. By its note it is easily distinguished, however, 

 giving only a single or a double wheu as it flies overhead or when disturbed, 

 instead of the volley of three or four ivheus so characteristic of its greater 

 cousin. The tone also is different, not so deep as in the larger species. It may, 

 like the Greater Yellow-legs, occasionally emit a series of notes like a roll but 

 this is given more quickly than that of the latter. 



The Summer Yellow-legs is much less wary than the Greater Yellow-legs, 

 and often returns again and again to the fatal spot after each discharge of the 

 gun, till but few of the flock remain. The markings and general appearance are 

 the same in the two birds, the "Summer" being only about two thirds the size 

 of the "Winter." 



115 [256] Helodromas solitarius (Wils.). 

 Solitary Sandpiper. 



Not uncommon transient visitor; May 2 to May 26; July 26 to October 14. 



Unlike most other Sandpipers, the Solitary does not care for the salt water, 

 never in my experience appearing on the beach itself, although I have found it 

 on the edge of a pool on the upper beach. In the salt marsh it seeks the fresh- 

 water sloughs on the upper edges. In fact it is more apt to be found in wet 

 meadows or on the edges of pools or streams, sometimes miles from the sea, 

 perhaps among trees and bushes, among which it flies and perches with ease. 

 It generally lives up to its name, single birds alone being found during the 

 migrations, although two or more are sometimes seen together. 



