544 Annals of the Carnegie Museum. 



being the rule. " March 28, 1902, was an exceptionally early date of 

 first appearance in the spring, as they usually arrive sometime during 

 April [April 13, 1889 (Sennett) ; April 16, 1900], many lingering 

 well into the following month before finally passing northward [May 

 10, 1900J, sometimes even until May 25 (1893). I secured one 

 specimen July 28, 1896, and at that time thought the date very unusual 

 indeed ; I have since, however, seen them in August several times. 

 Their migration continues through September and most of October 

 and even occasionally into November (November 4, 1893), but at no 

 time does there seem to be any concerted movement among them, in- 

 volving marked flights on certain days, as with many other shore- 

 birds." To Mr. Bacon's notes above quoted may be added Mr. 

 Simpson's record of a bird seen flying over at Crystal Point, Novem- 

 ber 18, 1902. In 1900 our earliest fall date was August 25, and the 

 latest October 31. The length of the period of migration in this 

 species on its southward movement is remarkable, and equaled in the 

 case of but few other birds. They seem to be about equally partial to 

 the mud-flats at the mouth of Mill Creek, the outside sand-beach, and 

 the marshy edges of the various ponds, and even at times the flooded 

 fields of the mainland. As a rule they are shy and difficult to 

 approach. 

 72. Totanus flavipes. Lesser Yellow-legs. 



Like its larger congener, the present species is a transient visitor in 

 spring and fall, but is more numerous, at least at the former season, 

 occurring more plentifully, perhaps, than any other shore-bird of equal 

 size. The marshes and mud-fiats at the mouth of Mill Creek are a fav- 

 orite feeding-ground, although it frequents as well the other spots 

 where shore-birds in general are wont to be found. Flocks of this 

 species seldom aggregate two dozen birds, which, unlike those of the 

 larger kind, are as a rule quite unsuspicious, so that it is comparatively 

 easy to secure specimens : on one occasion (May 7, 1900) four were 

 taken at one shot. Mr. Bacon states that they make their appearance 

 usually during the last week in April (April 23, 1900 ; May 4, 1894), 

 the bulk passing through during the first half of' May, the latest re- 

 corded date being May 24, 1893. Mr. Simpson reports a pair seen 

 at Crystal Point April 26, 1902, while our records for the spring of 

 1900 (all from the mouth of Mill Creek) ranged between May 1 and 

 12. In the autumnal movement they are said to reappear some time 

 in August, on one occasion (1901) as early as August 7, lingering 



