144 NEarS AND EGOS OF 



tailed Godwit and Ring-tailed Marlin are its other names. The eggs of this species 

 are heavily shaded olive-drab or "hair brown" almost as dark as a Loon's egg, some- 

 times lighter; obscurely spotted and blotched with dark brown; usually four in 

 number; size 2.20x1.42. 



[252.] BLACi^-TAILED GODWIT. Limosa limosa (Linn.) Geog. Dist.— 



Northern portion of the Old World ; accidental in Greenland. 



At different seasons of the year the Black-tailed Godwit has been observed in 

 nearly every portion of Europe, Asia and Africa. It is only an occasional visitant 

 of Greenland which gives it a place in the fauna of North America. Considered mi- 

 gratory in Great Britain, and a few are known to breed there in the various marshes. 

 In the summer months, however, this Godwit is found in various parts of Denmark 

 and throughout Scandinavia, especially in Finland and up into Lapland. Known to 

 nest in France, and is supposed to breed sparingly in Switzerland. In Scotland and 

 other portions of the British Islands this species deposits its eggs yearly in May. 

 This bird is known as Common Gowit, Godwyn, Yarwhelp, or Yarwhit, Jadreka 

 Snipe, and Shrieker. The nesting is like that of all the Waders so far as known — 

 simply a hollow in wet meadov/s or in dry parts of swamps, midst grass or weeds. 

 The eggs are usually four in number; they are of a deep grayish-olive or even a deep 

 green, faintly spotted with olive-brown of different shades. Size 2.17x1.50. 



[253.] GBEEIT-SHANK. Totanus nebularius (Gunn). Geog. Dist— Old World; 

 accidental in Florida. 



Audubon took three specimens of the Green-shank on Sand Key, Florida, near 

 Cape Sable, May 28, 1832. This is the only record of its appearance in North 

 Ameiica. An abundant bird In the British Islands, many remain to breed, especially 

 in Scotland, and on the islands about the coast. Breeds in Norway and Sweden, 

 in Finland and in Lapland as far north as the Arctic Circle. The nest is often 

 placed some distance from water, usually in a tuft of grass with a slight lining. 

 The eggs are four in number and vary from yellowish to brownish-buff, sprinkled 

 and spotted all over, with irregular spots of dark brown, varying in intensity of 

 shade. The eggs are generally pear-shaped. The average size of ten specimens 

 is 1.98x1.40. 



254. GREATER YELLOW-LEGS. Totatnis melanoleucus (Gmel.) Geog. 

 Dist. — Nearly all of North America; breeding in the more northern portions. 



The Greater Yellow-legs, or Tell-tale, is found in North America at large. It 

 Is said to breed in the large marshes of Wisconsin, in Iowa, and in Northern Illinois; 

 doubtless a few breed in suitable places in California. The Greater Tell-tale 

 winters from the Carolinas southward; 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 ap- 

 proach 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 de- 

 rives 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 fishes, 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 



