BAY-BIRDS. 165 
on white ground; abdomen white; tail-coverts 
white, barred with brown; tail greyish-brown, 
barred with darker brown—the outer two feathers 
lighter ; rump brown; fore part of the back and 
wing-coverts brown, largely spotted with dull white ; 
primaries blackish-brown, broadly banded with 
white; secondaries white. Length fifteen inches 
and a half, wing eight.” — Giraud. 
YELPER. 
os Big Yellow-Legs—Greater Yellow-Shanks—-Tell--tale Tatler. 
Totanus Vociferus, Wils. 
This is one of the most numerous of the bay- 
birds, and among the most highly prized for its 
sport-conferring properties. It stools well, although 
occasionally suspicious, and will often drop like a 
stone from the clouds, where it is fond of flying, upon 
receiving a response to its strong, clear, and easily 
imitated cry. It will also frequently come within 
shot in the open, when the sportsman is unaided by 
his decoys. Its flight is uneven, being often slow 
when approaching or pausing over the stools, and 
then exceedingly rapid and irregular when alarmed ; 
and if there are no stools to make the Yelper hesi- 
tate, it has a bobbing motion, as if searching for the 
origin of the call, that makes it exceedingly difficult 
to kill. Moreover, it is vigorous, and will carry off 
much shot, as in fact is the habit with all the shore- 
birds, and is tough and sedgy on the table. 
