154 WADING BIRDS. 



extent of tide-water. Although they live principally upon the 

 insects and larvae they find in the marshes, at a later period 

 they also pay occasional visits to the strand in quest of mol- 

 lusca, small shrimps, and minute shell-fish, the ordinary fare of 

 the true Sandpipers. In the fall, when fat, their flesh is highly 

 esteemed, and they are frequently brought to market. 



The Tell-Tale occurs throughout this Eastern Province, breed- 

 ing from about latitude 50 degrees northward, and wintering in 

 Brazil and Chili. In the West it breeds as far south as Iowa and 

 Northern Illinois. On the Atlantic coast the birds are known as 

 migrants chiefly, though Mr. Brewster reports finding numbers on 

 Anticosti in summer, and a few have been seen in New England 

 at that season. 



YELLOW-LEGS. 



SUMMER YELLOW-LEGS. LESSER YELLOW-LEGS. 



TOTANUS FLAVIPES. 



Char. Upper parts dark ash varied with black, white, and gray ; 

 upper tail-coverts white, streaked with dusky ; tail ashy, barred with 

 white ; wings dusky ; under parts white, the breast and sides streaked 

 with dusky. In winter the plumage is paler ; the upper parts are plain 

 ash, with few and less distinct markings. Length about 11 inches. 



Nest. Amid the bushes on the margin of a marsh or lake ; a slight 

 depression scantily lined with grass or leaves. 



Eggs. 4; dull buff or pale drab, marked with brown and dull lilac; 

 1.70 X 1. 15. 



The Yellow-Shanks, in certain situations, may be considered 

 as the most common bird of the family in America. Its sum- 

 mer residence, or breeding-station, even extends from the 

 Middle States to the Northern extremity of the continent, 

 where it is seen, solitary or in pairs, on the banks of rivers, 

 lakes, or in marshes, in every situation contiguous to the 

 ocean. And though the young and old are found throughout 

 the warm season of the year in so many places, the nest and 

 eggs are yet entirely unknown. Calculating from the first 

 appearance of the brood abroad, the females commence laying 

 by the middle of June, and are seen in this neighborhood at 



