° ' JQ20 J Nichols, Limicoline Voices. 5Z1 



flight-notes of group A (rolling notes). The Willet also has a note 

 of less importance homologous with the "whew whew whew" of 

 the Greater Yellow-legs, but lower pitched, which is not its flight- 

 note. The "whew whew whew" of the Greater Yellow-legs is 

 the flight-note of that species, a flight-note of group B (polysyl- 

 labic notes). The Greater Yellow-legs also has a more or less 

 plover-like rolling note of group A, "toowhee toowhee toowhee. " 

 The commonest flight-note of the Lesser Yellow-legs, though fre- 

 quently monosyllabic, is clearly homologous with that of the 

 Greater. This intermediate condition in the Lesser Yellow-legs 

 favors consideration of the monosyllabic flight-notes of the Kriek- 

 er, etc., as group B rather than group A. 



The Lesser Yellow-legs, Krieker and Semipalmated Sandpiper 

 have short, snappy, flocking notes which may be considered of 

 group C. There seems to have been an evolutionary tendency for 

 notes of less importance to rise into prominence and replace notes 

 of a preceding group as the diagnostic flight-note of the various 

 species. Before judging of this hypothesis, it will be well to re- 

 view the calls of the different species studied, which are taken up 

 in the order of the A. O. U. ' Check-List.' 



Northern Phalarope (Lobipcs lobatus). On taking wing, this 

 species utters a chipping note suggesting somewhat that of the 

 Sanderling, either monosyllabic, "tchip" or "tchep," or in two 

 or more syllables. 



Woodcock (Philohela minor). This solitary, wood inhabiting 

 more or less nocturnal species, is perhaps the most silent. A 

 "twittering" as the bird takes wing is produced by the modified 

 wing feathers. It is almost invariable as the bird takes wing and 

 sometimes heard in full flight, but not as a rule. Species well 

 concealed on the ground which trust to their concealment, and 

 flush only at close range, throwing concealment to the wind as 

 they do so, usually have an analogous striking note at that time, 

 doubtless of value as a signal to others that may be near-by. It 

 corresponds to the whirr of the Ruffed Grouse or the grunting 

 of a startled Bittern, and thus may be mechanical, though usually 

 vocal. Such sounds are very serviceable to the observer as identi- 

 fication marks. 



