422 GAME BIRDS OF CALIFORNIA 



(Bent, 1907&, p. 427). Often several pairs other than those whose 

 nest is threatened will join in the demonstration. At times they hover 

 with quivering wings and at all times while so circling keep up such 

 a clamor that it is impossible to determine when they are near the nest 

 and when away from it. 



Porbush states (1912, p. 312) that when inland the Eastern Willet 

 eats grasses and roots and small fish and fish fry, but when along salt 

 water its diet consists of many small mollusks and crabs. Paul J. Pair 

 reports that specimens of the "Western "Willet taken by him on the 

 marshes near Newark, Alameda County, in April, 1914, contained 

 clams fuUy one and one-half inches in length (H. C. Bryant, MS). 



In early days the Western "Willet was commonly offered for sale 

 in the markets of San Prancisco during the autumn, winter, and 

 spring (Suckley in Cooper- and Suckley, 1859, p. 242). Undoubtedly 

 extensive hunting for the market has had its effect upon the numbers 

 of "Willets that nowadays occur within our borders, but to what extent, 

 it is impossible to determine. Despite the rank or fishy flavor of its 

 flesh, the "Willet has always been hunted rather extensively, doubtless 

 because of its large size. But it is still abundant enough so that 

 moderate protection will enable it to maintain its numbers and possibly 

 increase them toward the complement of earlier days. The most impor- 

 tant factor in the decrease of the species is the gradual restriction of 

 its breeding range by the advance of agriculture. It does not enjoy 

 the protection afforded the birds which nest in the far north, and 

 should therefore merit more consideration during the winter season. 



Wandering Tattler 



Hctcractitis incana (G-melin) 



Otheb names — Heteroscelus incmms; Totanvs incanus. 



Description — Adults, iolh sexes, in late spring and summer: Entire upper 

 surface including top of head, rump, tail, and outer surface of wing, uniform 

 slaty or dark grayish brown; eyelids white; stripe from bill to eye and spot 

 behind eye, dark grayish brown; stripe from top of bill over eye and sides of 

 head and neck, white, finely streaked with dark grayish brown; chin and throat 

 white, sparsely spotted with dark grayish brown; iris brown; bill black, brown- 

 ish at lower base; margin and lining of wing dusky, with feather-tippings of 

 white; under surface of flight feathers and axillars, uniform slaty brown like 

 upper surface of body; whole lower surface including sides and under tail 

 coverts, white, barred closely with dark grayish brown; feet pale "brownish 

 oeher"; nails "black" (Bishop, 1900, p. 69). Adults, and immatures, both sexes, 

 in fall and winter: Entire upper surface, tail and wing, as in summer adults; 

 eyelids, spot in front of eye and chin, white; sides of head and neck, foreneck, 

 breast and sides of body, light grayish brown, entirely devoid of streaks or 

 bars; belly and flanks pure white; under tail coverts white barred with grayish 

 brown. Males: Total length 10.87-11.00 inches (276-279 mm.) (three specimens 



