406 BIRDS OF BRITISH BURMAH. 



747. TOTANUS HAUGHTONI. 

 ARMSTRONGS YELLOWSHANK. 



Totanus haughtoni, Armstrong, 8. F. iv. p. 344 ; Hume fy Dav. S. F. vi. p. 463 ; 

 Harting, Ibis, 1883, p. 133, pi. iv. Pseudototanus haughtoni, Hume, S. I. 

 vii. p. 488, viii. p. 113 : Hume fy MarsJi. Game Birds, iii. p. 404, pi. ; Oates, S. F. 

 x. p. 241. 



Description. In winter plumage resembles generally Totanus canescens, 

 but has a much broader and more massive bill, a much shorter tarsus 

 (male T85 inch, female 1'65), and the webs between the three anterior toes 

 very much more developed. (Hume.} 



It differs from Totanus canescens in its smaller size, more robust bill 

 with the lateral groove slightly more prolonged in proportion to the length 

 of the bill, shorter and slightly more robust legs and feet, and in having a 

 palmation on both sides of the middle toe instead of one side only as in 

 T. canescens. The tail does not extend beyond the end of the closed 

 primaries ; and the tertials are not so long in proportion to the length of 

 the primaries. Besides I have never seen any specimen of T. canescens in 

 winter plumage which had the back of such a uniform brownish grey ; 

 there is always a hoariness or mealiness (as expressed by the term 

 canescens) in the dorsal plumage of our Greenshank. (Harting.} 



Mr. Harting adds : " It does not appear that there is much difference in 

 the bills of the two species ; but there is a noticeable difference in the 

 semipalmation of the toes. This, however, I do not regard as sufficient to 

 render generic distinction either necessary or desirable, although there is 

 a precedent for adopting such a course in the case of the American Totanus 

 semipalmatus (Gm.), for which the generic name Symphemia of Rafinesque 

 was proposed on account of a similar peculiarity/' 



Having never seen a specimen of this bird I am unable to form an in- 

 dependent opinion on the subject, and I therefore follow Mr. Harting, 

 whose knowledge of the Limicolse is so thorough, in placing this species in 

 the genus Totanus. 



Armstrong's Yellowshank was discovered by Dr. Armstrong on the 

 sea-coast near Elephant Point, and this naturalist subsequently procured 

 some specimens at Amherst in Tenasserim. It has not been met with 

 by any one else in Burmah ; but Mr. Hume observed one specimen in 

 the Calcutta Market which must have been killed in the neighbourhood 

 of that town. 



It will probably be found hereafter along the whole coast on the 

 eastern side of the Bay of Bengal. It has been met with in Burmah only 

 in the winter, and its summer quarters are quite unknown. 



Dr. Armstrong found this species on sand-banks and mud-flats on the 

 sea-shore, and it is probably confined to the sea-coast and the banks of the 

 larger rivers within tidal influence. 



