THE GREATER YELLOW-LEGS. 667 
General Range.—North America, breeding in the interior (from Iowa and 
Nebraska northward to Manitoba and the Saskatchewan). Migrating in winter 
to Guatemala, Yucatan, etc., and Cuba. 
Range in Washington.—Rare migrant along the coast. No recent records. 
Authorities—Newberry, Rep. Pac. R. R. Surv. VI., Pt. IV., 1857, p. 100. 
We (Ces. 
Specimens.—Proy. C. 
“THE Marbled Godwit frequents Shoalwater bay in immense flocks dur- 
ing spring and fall, a few remaining all winter. The first flocks of young 
birds arrive from the north in July, but I think none breed in the Territory. 
They frequent during their stay, soft mud flats, which are extensive in the 
bay, feeding at low tide during either day or night. At high water they sit 
concealed by the grass, always at a distance from woods or other concealment 
of their enemies, and are consequently very difficult to approach, being watch- 
ful and shy at all times. Along the gravelly steep shores of the upper part of 
Puget Sound they rarely appear. In the beginning of May they leave for their 
northern breeding grounds. I have examined large numbers, and have never 
identified more than one species in the Territory. The name of ‘curlew’ is 
commonly but wrongly given them.” 
The foregoing paragraph, penned by Dr. Cooper more than fifty years 
ago, fairly summarizes our present knowledge of the Marbled Godwit in 
Washington. They are presumably still common along the Pacific coast dur- 
ing migrations, for Mr. A. W. Anthony finds them so along the Oregon coast. 
The bird does not go far north, for it is unknown in Alaska. John Fannin 
notes its occurrence thruout the whole of British Columbia, but says that it 
breeds chiefly east of the Cascades. There is no reason why it should not be 
found likewise in eastern Washington, since it is known to breed as far south 
as Nebraska. 
No. 269. 
GREATER YELLOW-LEGS. 
A. O. U. No. 254. Totanus melanoleucus (Gmel.). 
Synonyms.—Lonc-LEGGED TATTLER. STONE SNIPE. 
Description.—Adult in summer: Above dusky or blackish gray; streaked 
on the head and neck, and spotted on the edges of feathers of back, scapulars, etc., 
with white; edge of wing, and quills plain dusky; the upper tail-coverts white, 
narrowly barred on terminal portions with dusky; tail narrowly barred dusky 
and white, the central feathers darker ; underparts white, the fore-neck and breast 
heavily spotted and streaked, and the sides barred with dusky; “bill straight or 
slightly inclined upward, not with regular curve, but as if bent near the middle, 
black or gt nish black”; feet and legs bright yellow. Adult in winter: Upper- 
