BIRDS OF NORTH-WESTERN CANADA. 51 



in August and September, never alone, but always in flocks, 

 usually accompanied by some of the allied species. When the 

 large flocks of Limicolce were disturbed and took wing, the loud 

 clear whistle of this Sandpiper could always be distinguished 

 from the mixed babel of the mingled host. 



Yellow-legs, Totanus flavipes. — The first example of the 

 Lesser Yellowshank that I came across was a solitary bird, which 

 frequented a slough near Dalesbro' on the 9th July. On the 21st 

 of the same month a flock of this species appeared on another 

 slough. I shot two adult birds, both males. I never happened 

 to fall in with the species again. 



Solitary Sandpiper, Totanus solitarius. — As early as July 

 6th I shot an adult which had probably been breeding near 

 Dalesbro'. No others were seen until August, when the species 

 became abundant, but disappeared at the end of the month. 



Willet, Symphemia semipalmata. — This wader breeds numer- 

 ously near Moose Creek, laying three eggs in a slight hollow in 

 the ground, screened by the long grass which clothes the banks 

 of the creek. The old birds are extremely solicitous for the 

 safety of their young, disturbing a whole neighbourhood with 

 their piercing vociferations of " wil-ette, wilet, wilette." They 

 used to follow me most persistently along the creeks, and spoilt 

 many a coveted shot. Long before they can fly the nestlings 

 accompany their parents to the sloughs, and the exact where- 

 abouts of the birds in half-down may often be ascertained by 

 noticing the watchfulness with which the adults drive away 

 Swainson's Buzzards from the vicinity of their young charges. 



Bartram's Sandpiper, Bartramia longicauda. — One of the 

 most familiar of the summer birds of this region, locally known 

 as the "Quail." Unlike the majority of species, Bartram's 

 Sandpiper nests on the prairie, generally at some distance from 

 water. Four eggs usually constitute a clutch. I photographed 

 a nest in situ. On returning to the spot, I found the nest had 

 been roofed in with stems of dry grass, these being interwoven 

 with the blades of long grass growing around ; a hole for entrance 

 or exit had been left on one side. The present species has a 

 curious habit of holding the wings in a vertical position for a few 

 seconds after alighting on the ground, a trait which displays the 

 barred lining of the wings to great advantage. The gizzards of 

 the birds dissected usually contained small black beetles. 



