304 GAME BIRDS. WILD-FOWL AND SHORE BIRDS. 



A plentiful species, and great numbers are brought to market 

 in Boston, New York and Philadelphia, particularly in autumn 

 (Wilson, 1813). Florida to Maine, autumn and spring; very 

 abundant in the interior at other seasons (Audubon, 1835). 

 In certain sections may be considered the most abundant bird 

 of the family in North America (Nuttall, 1834). In August 

 and September they appear in large flocks in their southern 

 migration (De Kay, New York, 1844). One hundred and six 

 killed by one discharge of a double gun (Giraud, 1844). Abun- 

 dant spring and autumn and many remain during summer 

 (Turnbull, eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey, 1869). 

 Summer resident; common migrant; perhaps breeds; have 

 seen it at Ipswich all summer (Maynard, eastern Massachu- 

 setts, 1870). Common; rare in summer (J. A. Allen, 1879). 

 More abundant in west than the Greater Yellow-legs, but on 

 Atlantic shores seldom seen in spring and not very common in 

 fall (Chamberlain, 1891). Being driven from many of the old- 

 time resorts, and may easily become rare (Sanford, Bishop and 

 Van Dyke, 1903). Rather common fall migrant; very rare in 

 spring (Hoffmann, 1904). Formerly common in late summer 

 and early autumn; now rare at all seasons (Brewster, Cam- 

 bridge region, 1906). Rare spring and common fall migrant 

 (G. M. Allen, Massachusetts, 1909). 



Only nine Massachusetts observers in 1908 reported an 

 increase in Yellow-legs and in most cases the increase was 

 recent and perhaps temporary. Eighty-seven have noted a 

 serious decrease within an average of thirty years. Mr. Gard- 

 iner G. Hammond saw a bunch of fifty or sixty in 1908 on 

 Martha's Vineyard, and Mr. Gilbert R. Payson saw a flock 

 of about fifty, and they are reported as numerous in the marshes 

 about Newburyport, Cohasset, Duxbury and in Barnstable 

 County; elsewhere reports of decrease are almost unanimous. 



No longer ago than 1870 the flocks were quite numerous 

 about some of the inland ponds and lakes in Massachusetts in 

 August, particularly in dry seasons, when the ponds were low. 

 I remember that they were always watchful, but they were 

 readily attracted by a whistled imitation of their call, and if 

 even one was shot out of the flock the others hovered about 



