LIST AND DESCRIPTION 69 
under parts white barred with black. 
It breeds north of the United States and is usually seen 
in large, migrating flocks. 
255. YELLOW-LEGS (Totanus flavipes.) 
The plumage of this “Snipe” is almost identical with that 
of the Greater Yellowlegs but the bird is only about two thirds 
as large, with yellow legs comparative longer. It rarely nests 
as far south as our State and, like its larger cousin, is often seen 
in large, migrating flocks. 
256. SOLITARY SANDPIPER ([Helodromas solitarius solitarius.) 
Another eastern species that breeds north of the United 
States and is seen in South Dakota only in migration. It is about 
eight inches long, including the bill, which is about one inch in 
length. Above it is gray spotted with white. Most of the tail 
feathers as well as the under wing feathers are barred with 
black and white. Throat and belly white; breast streaked with 
brownish gray. 
This little Sandpiper is usually seen aione at the water’s 
edge by streams or pools and may be recognized by its continual 
“teetering” as it hunts for worms and larvae in the soft mud. 
258. WILLET (Catoptrophorus semipalmatus semipalmatus.) 
Another Shore Bird with long, blue legs and a rather stout 
bill two and one quarter inches in length. Upper parts gray 
mixed with brownish black and buff; below, white mixed with 
black and buff; larger wing feathers black with a broad white 
band. 
The specimen in the University Museum was taken May 
6, 1894, by Mr. F, A. Patton, in Miner County. 
258a. WeEsTERN WILLET (Catoptrophorus semipalmatus inornatus.) 
This Willet is similar to No. 258 but larger, and with paler 
plumage, both above and below, and also with fewer black mark- 
ings. There is very little buff on the specimen at hand. Prob- 
ably it nested abundantly here in early days, but it is doubtful if 
a nest could be found at present, as its favorite breeding grounds 
have been destroyed by the plow and the pasturing of the low 
lands. 
