BIRDS FOUND ALONG THE BEACHES 7] 
259. WANDERING TATTLER. — Heteractitis mcanus. 
Famity: The Snipes and Sandpipers. 
Length: 10.50-11.50. 
Adults in Summer : Upper parts uniform slate-color ; under parts barred 
with dark gray and white ; throat white, spotted with dusky ; lower 
belly white. 
Adults in Winter : Upper parts, sides, and breast gray ; middle of belly 
and throat white. 
Young: Similar to winter adults, but feathers of wings and back marked 
with pure white. 
Geographical Distribution : Pacific coast of North America from Alaska 
to Lower California, west to Hawaiian Islands and Kamtchatka. 
Breeding Range: From Vancouver Island northward to valley of Yukon 
River. 
‘* Nest and Eggs apparently not recorded: but young birds taken by 
Macoun on west coast of Vancouver Island ”’ (F. M. Bailey). 
THe Wandering Tattler is well named, for it remains 
in one locality only during the nesting season, which is 
from May 20 to July 1 in Alaska. Its food consists 
of mollusks and crustaceans, and for that reason it is 
seldom found at any great distance from the shore. 
Its note is a clear, flute-like whistle, not unlike that 
of the greater yellow-legs, and is translated by one ob- 
server as “tu-tu-tu-tu.” Like its larger relative, it is 
a stately little bird, graceful whether on land or in the 
air. It is said to give warning of the approach of dan- 
ger by a shriller whistle than its customary sweet call, 
and consequently is berated by sportsmen. 
