17° GAME BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA. 



Totanus melajiclcucm.—V\€\SL Greater Tell-tale. Greater Yellow-shanks, Big 

 Yellow-legs. Stone Snipe, Tattler. Large Cucu. 



This is one of the most familiar of our Bay-birds, his large size, 

 yellow legs, peculiar cry and usual wariness making him an object 

 of eager pursuit to the city-bred sportsman. They are, however, 

 universally disliked by gunners on account of their watchful 

 and noisy nature. They will stand motionless and in silence, 

 carefully regarding the sportsman with watchful attention until he 

 is nearly within shooting distance, when at a single note from one 

 of the flock, all instantly take flight, emitting loud clear whistles 

 of rejoicing at his discomfiture. Later in the season, however, 

 they seem to be less wary, and numbers can be procured without 

 difficulty. Though found in all situations near the water, their 

 favorite localities are muddy flats laid bare by the ebbing tide, the 

 salt marshes adjoining them, and the pools which dot these 

 marshes. They are generally lean and little valued for the 

 table. 



The color in summer is ash-brown ; above, marked with black 

 and spotted with white ; below, almost white ; throat and breast 

 streaked and spotted with black ; legs, bright yellow ; bill, blacL 



Totanus fia-oipes.—W^'^. Lesser Yellow-legs. Lesser Tell-tale. 



An exact miniature of the last in coloration and its habits are 

 similar, the two are found associated, sometimes both being 

 brought down by the same discharge ; what applies to one is true 

 of the other. 



Totanus soUtartus. — Aud. Solitary Tattler. 



A familiar species to most gunners. It is for the most part a 

 resident of the wet woods and marshes, rather than the sea shore. 

 In early fall one or two may invariably be found feeding by any se- 

 cluded pool or pond, not necessarily near salt water ; when fright- 

 ened suddenly they are silent in their flights, but at other times 

 emit a shrill and not unmusical call. The color is dark lustrous 

 olive-brown above, below white, sides of neck and head streaked 

 with dusky, the tail is beautifully marked with black and white 

 These birds are common to North America in general. A rathei 



