670 THE LESSER YELLOW-LEGS. 
partially obscured or blended. Length about 10.50 (266.7); wing, 6.11 (155.2) ; 
tail 2.36 (50.9); bill 1.46 (37.1); tarsus 1.98 (50.3). 
Recognition Marks.—Killdeer size; like preceding species but smaller. 
Nesting.—Does not breed in Washington. Eggs: 3-4, buffy (variable as to 
shade), distinctly (sometimes broadly) spotted or blotched with dark madder or 
Vandyke brown and purplish gray. Av. size, 1.69 1.15 (42.9 x 20.2). 
General Range.—America in general, breeding in the cold temperate and 
subarctic districts, and migrating south in winter to southern South America. 
Less common in western than in eastern North America. 
Range in Washington.—Oceasional during migrations. 
Authorities.—Rhoads, Auk, X., Jan. 1893, p. 17. 
Specimens.—!’roy. 
FOR some unaccountable reason this species was not listed by Cooper and 
Suckley, altho it had been noted as a bird “found in the Territory of the 
Oregon” by J. K. Townsend, in 1839. The fact is, some confusion has 
always existed between this bird and its larger congener, 7. melanoleucus, 
and it is probably not so rare as its omission from state lists would indicate. 
My own records are “early” and therefore a little hazy. But Fannin notes 
it as tolerably common thruout the province of British Columbia, and says 
that it winters on the Coast, while Allan Brooks has taken it at Chilliwhack 
and Okanogan. 
Altho not solitary by preference, these little Tattlers are rather independ- 
ent, and I have seen single individuals, or twos and threes, quite as often as 
larger flocks. They do mingle freely with other species upon occasion, but 
when frightened from their feeding grounds are apt to draw off by them- 
selves again. 
The most prominent characteristic of these birds as they flutter about 
from place to place, or rise for extended flight, is the tail appearing al- 
most white — for the cross-barring of the tail-feathers, while apparent 
enough in the hand, is scarcely noticeable at a distance. Upon alight- 
ing, the bird remains a moment with wings held daintily aloft, and, if 
reassured, folds them quietly, one at a time, like a yacht hauling in sail, 
or simultaneously, as the case may be. On foot it is often restless, bob- 
bing or teetering with nervous apprehension, and serving frequent notice of 
its readiness for departure. As tho conscious, however, of its own prepared- 
ness, it will often suffer a much nearer approach than most other species 
of waders. 
The notes of the Lesser Yellow-legs are much like those of the preceding 
species, but are lighter in character. 
