THE SUMMER YELLOW-LEGS 187 



during the spring migrations. This species is 

 more numerous along the Atlantic coast than 

 is the preceding, and the early fall finds many 

 "Summer Yellow-legs" on the muddy flats of 

 the tide-waters. Fine sport may be had, both 

 here and in the marshes, for, like the larger 

 species, these birds come readily to decoys or 

 to a good imitation of their whistle. If there is 

 any difference in the willingness of these two 

 birds to come to decoys I think that the "Sum- 

 mer" is the more neighborly. I believe this 

 species is much less wary as well as weaker in 

 flight powers and of less shot-carrying ability. 

 I must confess that I prefer shooting "Yellow- 

 legs ' ' of either tribe over ' ' stools ' ' to any other 

 kind of shore-bird gunning, always, and of 

 course, excepting the sport of knocking down 

 Wilson's snipe when there are enough of them 

 to practice on. 



In August, supposing the mosquitoes do not 

 eat him alive, the marsh gunner is likely to get 

 more of the smaller "Yellow-legs." In Septem- 

 ber the "Winters" will outnumber them two to 

 one. Both rank well as table birds and are al- 

 ways in good condition. 



For plumage and markings the description of 



