394 GREATER YELLOWLEGS. 



The Lesser Yellowlegs remain in Massachusetts until late in September, when they all de- 

 part southward, and although very abundant in autumn, they are seldom seen in this sec- 

 tion in spring, evidently reaching their northern breeding grounds by migrating through 

 the interior. They are not strictly confined to the coast in autumn, however, but are found 

 throughout the West. 



TOTAWUS MELANOLEUCTJS. 



Greater Yellowlegs. 

 Totanus mclanoleucus VIEILL., Nouv. Diet.; 1816, 400. 



DESCRIPTION. 



SP. Cn Form, slender. Size, large. Tongue, long and thin, tapering toward tip which i horny and pointed. Mem- 

 brane between toes, not large. Inner marginal indentations large and never inclosed. Legs, very lung. Cocoa, small, on- 

 ly -40 long. 



Coum. Adult. Above, Jark-brown, streaked, spotted, and handed, with white. Rumpand uppertail coverts, white, 

 faintly banded with dusky. Tail, finely banded with white. Beneath, white, streaked on neck and breast and banded on 

 sides, with dark-brown. 



Young. Similar to the adult, but more ashy above, and the streakings beneath are not as well defined. Iris, brown, 

 bill, black, and feet, yellow, in all stages. 



OBSERVATIONS: 



Readily known from all others by the large size, straight, slender bill, long yellow legs, white, slightly banded rump, 

 and colors as described. Distributed, in summer, throughout Arctic America. Winters from the C:irolinas, southward. 



DIMENSIONS. 



Average measurements of specimens from Eastern North America. Length, 13"20; stretch, 24'25; wing, 7'95; tail, 3 15; 

 bill,2'30; tarsus,2'45. Longest specimen, 14'25; greatest extent of wing, 25'50; bngestwing, 8'70; tail. 3-30: bill, 2'0(>; tnr- 

 sus, 2 70. Shortest specimen, 12' 15; smallest extentofwing, 23'5ll; shortest wing, 7" 15; tail, 2'95; bill, 2'05; tarsus, 2 25. 



HABITS. 



Although resembling the preceding species in many habits, the Greater Yellowlegs do 

 not appear in Massachusetts until, at least six weeks, after the first Summer Yellowleg has 

 come, and they remain late in the season; consequently are sometimes termed Winter Yel- 

 lowlegs. They frequent much the same grounds as the smaller species and associate with 

 them; but are much shyer birds and when approached, will sound their loud, whistling cry, 

 raise their long wings once or twice, then rise, whistling as they go, generally followed by 

 all their smaller companions. In the South, they are particularly abundant, and may be seen 

 wading in the pools or shallow margins of the rivers and lagoons, feeding upon small fish- 

 es, crustaceans, etc. On their way north, the Greater Yellowlegs pass Massachusetts, and 

 their loud, cheery whistle, coming to the ear from over the marshes, which are just show- 

 ing a tinge of green, proclaims that the pleasant summer days are rapidly approaching. 

 Although both Yellowlegs are classed among the game birds, I cannot say that I consider 

 their flesh particularly fine eating, as it is apt to be dry and strong. Well authenticated 

 eggs of the Greater Yellowlegs, appear lo be rare and I have never had an opportunity of 

 examining one. 



TOTANUS SEMIPALMATUS. 



Willet. 

 f Totanus semipa/malus TEMM., Man. Orn. II; 637. 



DESCRIPTION. 



SP. Cn Form, robust. Size, large. Bill, stout. Tongue, long, thin andslender, tapering gradually toward tip which 

 is pointed. Membrane between toes, largo. Leg-;, long and .stout. Marginal indentations, small, but never inclosed. 



