CATALOGUE OF CANADIAN BIRDS. I7I 



LXXXIX. TOTANUS Bechstein. 1803. 

 254. Greater Yellow-legs. 



Totanus melanoleucus (Gmel.) Vieill. 18 16. 



This species is a common migrant in both spring and fall along 

 the whole Atlantic coast. In the Gulf of St. Lawrence and on 

 the Labrador coast it breeds in some numbers. In Quebec and 

 Ontario it is a common migrant, but there are no records of its 

 breeding. It is an abundant migrant in spring, late summer and 

 fall in Manitoba, but not very common to the west of that pro- 

 vince, although taken all across the continent. It was found by 

 Ross as far north as Fort Simpson, on the Mackenzie, and neither 

 Macfarline nor Richardson found it near the Arctic Sea. A few 

 specimens have been taken on the Pacific coast at Sitka, but no 

 others in Alaska. 



An abundant resident along the British Columbia coast in 

 winter; I found it breeding in the summer of 1891 around the 

 lakes at Clinton, B.C. {Fanning Abundant in the Lower Fraser 

 valley ; probably breeds. {Brooks^ 



Breeding Notes. — Audubon, Vol. V., 319, states he found 

 this species breeding in June in Labrador. (Turner^ Found in 

 abundance on Anticosti, where it was evidently breeding ; about 

 the mouth of the Mingan River it is said to breed regularly. 

 {Brewster) A pair observed on Moose River, northern Ontario, 

 June 7th, 1896 ; none seen elsewhere that year. Resident on 

 Stubbs Island, west coast of Vancouver Island. Breeding in 

 wet meadows among the woods north of the prairie, and in the 

 foot-hills of the Rocky Mountains. I have seen young, scarcely 

 able to fly, in July. When the old birds are disturbed they will 

 often settle in trees. {Spreadborough.) 



MUSEUM specimens. 



Eight specimens. One taken at Toronto purchased with the 

 Holman collection ; one taken at Ottawa in May, 1885, by Mr. E. 

 White ; one taken at Ottawa by Mr. Fred. Saunders in May, 1892 ; 

 four taken at Indian Head, Assa., in May, 1892 ; and one taken 

 at Victoria, Vancouver Island, by Mr. W. Spreadborough in March, 

 1890. 



