120 NESTS AND EGGS OP 



in California. The Greater Tell-tale winters from the Carolinas south- 

 ward ; is abundant during the migrations, and is well known to the 

 gunners. In the Eastern States it appears to be much more wary 

 than in Ohio, and is said to give warning to ducks and other game 

 birds on the approach of the gunner. About four rapidly repeated, 

 loud and shrill whistling notes are uttered, which is a signal to the 

 rest of his feathered neighbors, when the whole take wing, often to 

 the disappointment of the fowler. From this habit it derives the 

 name of Tell-tale, and it is also known as Stone "Snipe," Greater 

 Yellow-shanks, and Long-legged Tattler. The stately form of this 

 bird may be seen moving along the gravelly banks of streams, wading 

 in pools or the shallow margins of rivers and lagoons, feeding upon 

 small iishes, crustaceans, etc. It is generally found in pairs, less often 

 in small flocks, and its association with other Sandpipers is merely 

 accidental. The eggs are grayish- white, marked with spots of dark 

 brown, varying in intensity of shade, together with obscure shell- 

 markings of lilac. The markings are over the entire surface, but 

 more numerous at the larger end ; three or four in number ; size 

 1.43x1.20. 



255. Totanus flavipes (Gmel.) [549] 



"Ifellow-legs. 



Hab. North America. 



The common Yellow-legs, or Lesser Tell-tale, is found throughout 

 North America. It breeds from Northern United States northward, 

 extending its migrations to the Arctic regions. It winters in the 

 Southern States and southward. In some localities during the migra- 

 tions it is more abundant than the Greater Tattler, and its general 

 habits and characteristics are the same ; its cries are clearer and not 

 so loud. It is fond of wading about in pools of water seeking food, 

 which consists of larvae of insects and small crustaceans. 



The Lesser Yellow-shanks is known to breed in Alaska, at the 

 mouth of the Porcupine River, which empties into the Yukon. It 

 doubtless breeds in all the region between Fort Selkirk and Fort 

 Yukon. It has been found nesting in the neighborhood of Great Slave 

 Lake, and abundantly in the Mac Farlane and Anderson River regions. 

 At the latter place eggs were found as early as the first part of June. 

 The nests were mere depressions in the ground, without any lining; 

 sometimes they were placed at the foot of a bush, with a scanty lining 

 of withered leaves. The eggs were usually four. The bird is reported 

 as doubtless breeding in Illinois and other regions farther south than 

 those just mentioned. There is no doubt that a few of the Lesser 

 Yellow-legs breed in Central Ohio. In referring to my notes I find 



