406 
BIRDS OF BMTISH BURMAH. 
747. TOTANUS HAUGHTONI. 
ARMSTRONG'S YELLOWSHANK. 
Totanus haughtoni, Armstrong, S. F. iv. p. 344 ; Hume 8f Dav. S. F. vi. p. 463 ; 
Harting, Ibis, 1883, p. 133, pi. iv. Pseudototanus haughtoni, Hume, S. F. 
vii. p. 488, yiii. p. 113 ; Hume Marsh. Game Birds, in. p. 404, pi. ; Oates, S. F. 
X. p. 241. 
Description.— In winter plumage resembles generally Totanus canescens, 
but has a mueli broader and more massive bill, a much shorter tarsus 
(male 1*85 incb^ female 1*65), and the webs between the three anterior toes 
very much more developed. (Hume.) 
It differs from Totanus canescens in its smaller size^ more robust bill 
with the lateral groove slightly more prolonged in proportion to the length 
of the bill^ shorter and slightly more robust legs and feet, and in having a 
palmation on both sides of the middle toe instead of one side only as in 
T. canescens. The tail does not extend beyond the end of the closed 
primaries ; and the tertials are not so long in proportion to the length of 
the primaries. Besides I have never seen any specimen of T. canescens in 
winter plumage which had the back of such a uniform brownish grey ; 
there is always a hoariness or mealiness (as expressed by the term 
canescens) in the dorsal plumage of our Greenshank. [Harting.) 
Mr. Harting adds : — It does not appear that there is much difference in 
the bills of the two species ; but there is a noticeable difference in the 
semipalmation of the toes. This^ however_, I do not regard as sufficient to 
render generic distinction either necessary or desirable, although there is 
a precedent for adopting such a course in the case of the American Totanus 
semipalmatus (Gm.), for which the generic name Symphemia of Rafinesque 
was proposed on account of a similar peculiarity 
Having never seen a specimen of this bird I am unable to form an in- 
dependent opinion on the subject, and I therefore follow Mr. Harting, 
whose knowledge of the Limicolse is so thorough, in placing this species in 
the genus Totanus. 
Armstrong's Yellowshank was discovered by Dr. Armstrong on the 
sea-coast near Elephant Point, and this naturalist subsequently procured 
some specimens at Amherst in Tenasserim. It has not been met with 
by any one else in Burmah ; but Mr. Hume observed one specimen in 
the Calcutta Market which must have been killed in the neighbourhood 
of that town. 
It will probably be found hereafter along the whole coast on the 
eastern side of the Bay of Bengal. It has been met with in Burmah only 
in the winter,, and its summer quarters are quite unknown. 
Dr. Armstrong found this species on sand-banks and mud-fiats on the 
sea-shore, and it is probably confined to the sea- coast and the banks of the 
larger rivers within tidal influence. 
