566 THE SOLITARY SANDPIPER. 



centre of its abundance in summer, and its main breeding-grounds are, apparently, the Northern 

 Mississippi and Eastern Missouri regions, and thence to Saskatchewan ; for, unlike its relative, 

 the Hudsonian Godwit, it does not proceed very far north to breed. It breeds in Iowa, and 

 Minnesota, and Eastern Dakota. I found it on the plains, feeding with long-billed curlews, 

 and great numbers of Bartram's sandpipers. In its habits at this season it more nearly resem- 

 bles the curlews. On intrusion near the nest, the birds mount in the air with loud, piercing 

 cries, hovering slowly around with labored flight in evident distress, and approaching some- 

 times within a few feet of the observer. 



Gunners call this bird Strait-billed Curlew, and often Red Curlew. It is shy and cautious, 

 yet strongly attached to each other. When one is wounded, the whole flock is arrested in 

 flight, and they hover over the unfortunate bird. Like the curlew, this bird can be called by 

 imitating its voice. A slight difference in marking distinguishes the sexes. The male bird 

 is nineteen inches long, and thirty -four in extent of wing. The bill is nearly six inches in 

 length ; unlike that of the curlew, it is nearly straight. 



A species is found on the western, or Pacific coast, called the Limosa lapponica. 



THE HUDSONIAN GODWIT (Limosa Ticemasticd) inhabits eastern North America, the West 

 Indies, and South America. It is rare along the Atlantic coast. This bird is called Black-tail 

 Godwit in some quarters, though the following is now regarded as the true one of that name 

 Limosa cegocepTiala. 



THE GREATER YELLOW SHANKS, or TELL-TALE (Totanus melanoleucus\ called also 

 Tattler, is an exclusively American bird, found in all parts of this continent. It is abundant 

 in winter and during the migrating season. Breeds mostly in high latitudes. Wherever 

 there is water in the Missouri region these birds abound. In some places they are the most 

 numerous of all the waders. 



The term Tell-tale was applied to this bird from the fact that it is so noisy. Its whistle, 

 which consists of four notes rapidly repeated, is so loud, shrill, and alarming, as instantly to 

 arouse every duck within its hearing, and thus disappoint the eager expectations of the marks- 

 man. The bird arrives on our coast in April, breeds in the marshes, and continues until 

 November, about the middle of which month it generally moves off to the South. 



The Tell-tale seldom flies in large flocks, at least during the summer. On the least appear- 

 ance, it utters its shrill whistle and mounts on wing, generally accompanied by all the feath- 

 ered tribe within hearing. It sometimes rises to a great height in the air, and can be distinctly 

 heard when it cannot be seen. 



The Tell-tale is fourteen inches in length, and twenty-five inches in extent of wing. 



YELLOW-LEGS, or LESSER YELLOW SHANKS (Totanus flampes). The habitat of this 

 species is the whole of the Western hemisphere. Its breeding-places are from the northern 

 States, northward. Many winter in the Southern States. It is found in Europe as a straggler. 

 The Yellow-legs associates with the preceding in equal abundance. East of the Rocky Moun- 

 tains it is abundant, and generally distributed, but on the western slope very sparingly. 

 Great numbers are brought into the markets of our large towns, particularly in autumn. Its 

 flesh is in great favor. Its voice is a sharp whistle of three or four notes, when about to t;ikc 

 \vi 111; and when flying. The length of this bird is ten inches; extent of wing twenty. The 

 bill is slender and straight, about an inch and a half long. The female is closely like the male. 



THE SOLITARY SANDPIPER (RliyacopTiilus solitarius), called also Wood Tattler. This is 

 an American species, confined to the Western hemisphere. It is accidental in Europe. It 

 breeds in the northern part of the United States and northward. It is abundant, and migra- 

 tory, wintering quite within the tropics. 



Dr. Coues says : " About Washington, D. C., it is very common indeed at certain seasons. 

 It arrives late in April, and for two weeks or so is to be found in all suitable situations ; then 

 none are to be seen, except a few straggling young, just at the end of summer, until late in 



