LIST AND DESCRIPTION 69 



under parts white barred with black. 



It breeds north of the United States and is usually seen 

 in large, migrating flocks. 



255. YELLOW-LEGS (Totanus flavipes.) 



The plumage of this "Snipe" is almost identical with that 

 of the Greater Yellowlegs but the bird is only about two thirds 

 as large, with yellow legs comparative longer. It rarely nests 

 as far south as our State and, like its larger cousin, is often seen 

 in large, migrating flocks. 



256. SOLITARY SANDPIPER (Melodramas solitarius solitarius.) 



Another eastern species that breeds north of the United 

 States and is seen in South Dakota only in migration. It is about 

 eight inches long, including the bill, which is about one inch in 

 length. Above it is gray spotted with white. Most of the tail 

 feathers as well as the under wing feathers are barred with 

 black and white. Throat and belly white; breast streaked with 

 brownish gray. 



This little Sandpiper is usually seen alone at the water's 

 edge by streams or pools and may be recognized by its continual 

 "teetering" as it hunts for worms and larvae in the soft mud. 



258. WILLET (Catoptrophorus semipalmatus semipalmatus.) 



Another Shore Bird with long, blue legs and a rather stout 

 bill two and one quarter inches in length. Upper parts gray 

 mixed with brownish black and buff; below, white mixed with 

 black and buff; larger wing feathers black with a broad white 

 band. 



The specimen in the University Museum was taken May 

 6, 1894, by Mr. F, A. Patton, in Miner County. 



258a. WESTERN WILLET (Catoptrophorus semipalmatus inornatus.) 



This Willet is similar to No. 258 but larger, and with paler 

 plumage, both above and below, and also with fewer black mark- 

 ings. There is very little buff on the specimen at hand. Prob- 

 ably it nested abundantly here in early days, but it is doubtful if 

 a nest could be found at present, as its favorite breeding grounds 

 have been destroyed by the plow and the pasturing of the low 

 lands. 



