522 THE SOLITARY SANDPIPER. 
The most prominent characteristic of these birds, as they flutter about 
from place to place, or rise for extended flight, is the tail appearing almost 
white,—for the cross-barring of the tail-feathers, while apparent enough in the 
hand, is scarcely noticeable at a distance. Upon alighting 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, bobbing or teetering with nervous appre- 
hension, and serving frequent notice of its readiness for departure. As tho 
conscious, however, of its own preparedness, it will often suffer a much nearer 
approach than most other species of waders. 
In a company which included shore birds of eleven kinds, 1 once saw 
a Lesser Tattler which was obliged to hop about upon one leg, for the other 
dangled helpless in the air. The bird had evidently been for some time in 
this plight, for it balanced with ease, and stooped not ungracefully to secure 
food from the surface of the mud; so that one entertained the hope that his one 
yellow leg might serve him for a lifetime. 
The notes of the Yellow-legs are much like those of the preceding species, 
but are lighter in character. 
D. G. Elliot’ states without comment, that this species breeds in Illinois 
and Ohio, but no records of its breeding are known to us, nor had it been 
reported in Dr. Wheaton’s time. 
No. 243. 
SOLITARY SANDPIPER: 
A. O. U. No. 256. Helodromas solitarius (Wils.). 
Description.—A dult in summer: Above, olive-brown or fuscous, with a faint 
greenish tinge, blackening on wings; the head and neck finely streaked, and the 
back, etc., distinctly speckled with white; upper tail-coverts dusky, the lateral 
feathers spotted or barred with white; central tail-feathers dusky, spotted on edges 
with white; the remaining feathers of tail white, with heavy dusky bars; under 
parts white, the sides of neck and breast and across chest streaked with fuscous ; 
axillars prominent white, barred with dusky; bill blackish; feet and legs dull 
greenish black. /Vinter plumage: Colors more blended ; olivaceous tinge of upper 
parts nearly wanting; white spotting less pure; head and neck less distinctly 
streaked ; fore-neck and sides of breast heavily tinged or indistinctly clouded rather 
than streaked with light grayish brown. Immature: Like adult in winter, but 
colors still more blended; no streakings on head and neck; spotting of back buffy. 
Length 7.50-8.50 (190.5-215.9) ; av. of six Columbus specimens: wing 5.04 (128.) ; 
tail 2.08 (52.8) ; bill 1.13 (28.7) ; tarsus 1.18 (30.). 
Recognition Marks.—Chewink size; olive-brown above with white speckling. 
To be carefully distinguished from Actitis macularia by its somewhat larger size 
1 “North American Shore Birds,” (published by Francis P. Harper, New York) p. 119. 
