GEBATER TBLL-TALE. 483 



time after incnbation. They cease their cries, grow leas uneasy, become gentle, if still 

 sugpiriions, and may generally be seen stalking quietly about the nest. When Willets 

 are found in that humor — absent-minded, as it were, absorbed in reflection upon their en- 

 grossing duties, and unlikely to observe anything not directly in front of their bill — it 

 is pretty good evidence that they have a nest hard by. It is the same with Avocets, and 

 probably many other waders. During incubation the bird that is " off duty "(both 

 parents are sjiiid to take turns at this) almost always indulges in revery, doubtless rose 

 tinted, and becomes in a corresponding degree obliviotis to outward things. If then 

 they are not set npon in a manner entirely too rude and boisterous, the inquiring orni- 

 thologist could desire no better opportunity than he will have to observe their every 

 motion and attitude. But once let them become thoronghly alarmed by too open ap- 

 proch, particularly if the setting bird be driven from her nest, and the scene quickly 

 shifts ; there is a great outcry, violent protest and tumult, where was quietude. Other 

 pairs, nesting near by, join their cries till the confusion becomes general. But now, 

 again, their actions are not those they would show at other times ; for instead of fly- 

 ing off with the instinct of a^f-preservation, to put dihtanoe between them and danger, 

 they are held by some fascination to the spot, and hover around, wheeling about, flying 

 in circles a little ways to retarn s^in, with unremitting clamor. They may be only too 

 easily destroyed under such circumstances, provided the ornithologist can lay aside his 

 scraples and steel himself against sympathy. 



The half webbing of the toes renders this species somelteng of a swimmer, if necessity 

 arise ; but it only takes to water beyond its depth under urgent circumstances. In size 

 as well as in plumage it is very variable ; the length of the legs, particularly, varies in 

 different individuals to a surprising degree." 



Sub-genus Glottis. Toes with inner web very small ; legs yellow. 



TOTANOB MELANOLEUCUS (GeQ.) V. 

 G-reater Tell-tale. 



Totanus melavoleucue, Kirtland, Ohio Geolog. Stirv., 1838, 165. — Audubon, Om. Biog., 

 iv, 1838, 68,— Wheaton, Food (Jf Birds, etc., Ohio Agric. Rep. for 1874, 1875, 570 ; Re- 

 print, 12. — Langdon, Oat. Birds of Cin., 1877, 15; Revised List, Journ. Gin. Soo. 

 Nat Hist., i, 1879, 183 ; Reprint, 17 ; Summer Birds, ib, iii, 1880, 227. 



Totanu* vooifems, Audubon, B. Am., v, 1842, 317. 



Gamiettamelanoleuoa, Whbaton, Ohio Agric. Rep. for 1860, 1861, 369; Reprint, 11. 



ScoUpax melanolmca, GMEi.tN, Syst. Nat., i, 1788, 659. 

 Totanus melanoletioas, Vibillot, N. D. d'H. N., 1816. 

 Qambeita melanoUuca, Bonaparte, Comp. Hend., 1856. 



Bill straight or slightly bent upwards, very slender, grooved half its Ifength or less, 

 black; legs long and slender, yellow. In summer, ashy-brown, above varied with black 

 and speckled with whitish, below white, jugulitm sti-eaked, and-l^reast, sides and oris- 

 8um speckled or barred with blackish, these latter marks fewer or wanting in winter 

 and in the young ; upper tail-coverts white with dark bars ; tail feathers marbled or 

 barred with ashy or white ; quills blackish. Large ; length, over 12; wing, over 7 ; tail, 

 3 or more ; bill, 2 or more ; tarsus, about 2^ ; middle toe and claw, li ; tibia bare, IJ. 



Habitat, Western Hemisphere. In the United States, chiefly migratory, and in win- 

 ter. Breeds mostly in high latitudes. Abundant. 



