GREATER YELLOW-LEGS 405 



but in many cases sight identification is not to be depended upon at 

 a distance. In hand, size is absolutely diagnostic, and in addition 

 the fine pattern of paler color on inner surface of flight feathers, 

 more extensive area of markings below, and lighter, mixed pattern on 

 top of head, are noticeable. Prom the Black-necked Stilt it is dis- 

 tinguishable by the mottled pattern of the back, by tljie presence of 

 streaking on the throat, and the absence of areas of unmixed black and 

 white ; from the Hudsonian Curlew by its smaller size, shorter and 

 slenderer, straight bill, and less brown coloration; from the Western 

 "Willet by its smaller size and by the absence of contrasted patches of 

 black and white on the wing ; and from the "Wandering Tattler by its 

 slightly larger size, conspicuous pattern of markings on the upper 

 surface, and white upper tail coverts. 



The voice of the Greater Yellow-legs has been variously described ; 

 when heard at a distance, a soft musical "wheu, wheu-wheu-wheu- 

 wheu, wheu, wheu-wheu" (Chapman, 1912, p. 256) ; nearer by, a 

 sharper whistle of the same syllables uttered three at a time, and 

 again "a clear, musical tu-weep, very different from the alarm cry" 

 (Keed, 1912, p. 37). To our ears the ordinary notes possess a rather 

 penetrating, insistent, yet mellow quality, and they are given in 

 separated series, as just indicated. 



The Greater Yellow-legs inhabits the shores of inland ponds and 

 fresh or salt marshes, rarely the open seabeach ; in any of these habitats 

 it is to be found wading about in the water often to the full length 

 of its long legs in search of food. At times it will immerse its head 

 in order to reach the bottom of the pond in which it is feeding. When 

 moving about, the carriage of its body is graceful, yet there is a 

 certain jerkiness or halting element in the gait, this perhaps being 

 due to its excessively long legs. 



Greater Yellow-legs are found singly, in pairs, or, less commonly, 

 in flocks of half a dozen or so; larger groups sometimes occur. In 

 the latter case we have not noted the harmony of movement among the 

 constituent individuals so conspicuous in many waders. At times 

 solitary individuals attach themselves to flocks of other waders, such 

 as of the Long-billed Dowitcher. Sometimes these birds will permit 

 close approach, but not often, a long continued persecution having 

 taught the lucky survivors of their kind that man is to be avoided. 

 •Dawson (1909, pp. 668-669) relates his experience with one of these 

 birds, which was so confiding as to wade about in a pool at his very 

 feet ; but this is to be considered exceptional. Usually the birds take 

 wing when one is yet a long distance off, and give voice to their shrill 

 notes of alarm which serve as effective warning to all other inhabitants 

 of the locality. 



In ordinary flight the wing beats are rather slow, but steady, and 



