408 The Water-fowl Family 



in Patagonia. It has been taken in Cumberland and Cook 

 Inlet, Alaska. Common in migration throughout the United 

 States, and occurs in Bermuda. 



The greater yellowlegs is one of our most 

 widely distributed and well-known shore-birds, 

 passing along both coasts and through the inte- 

 rior on its spring and fall migrations. In early 

 August we hear its mellow whistle on the marshes 

 and flats of the eastern shore, a welcome sound, 

 announcing the time for the first shore-bird shoot- 

 ing is at hand, and he who loves this sport braves 

 mosquitoes and goes early to the marsh. When 

 migrating south, these birds fly in large flocks, 

 often some distance offshore. On reaching the 

 haunts along their course where they are in the 

 habit of stopping to rest and feed, the large bands 

 break up and the birds scatter over the marshes 

 and flats, keeping by themselves or mingling with 

 the numbers of big and little shore-birds that 

 frequent the beaches. 



The greater yellowlegs is a sociable bird, and 

 when alone usually makes its presence known 

 by the shrill whistle which too often receives an 

 answer from a gunner's blind. When coming to 

 decoys, the birds set their wings, swooping among 

 the stools ; jumping up with a frightened yelp on 

 seeing their mistake, they offer an easy chance. 

 A short sojourn on good feeding-grounds quickly 

 fattens them, but the flesh is not equal to that of 



