SCOLOPACIDflE — THE SNIPE FAMILY — TOTANUS. 
271 
were raised near the place. Late in August this bird begins to gather in flocks along 
the shores of Lake Koskonong, generally in company with the Totanus flavipes. 
On Long Island, according to Cliraud, this species is not so numerous as the flavi- 
pes. It is there known to the hunters as the “Greater Yellowshanks,” arriving in 
April, about two weeks earlier than the Common Yellowshanks, and, as is the case 
with the latter, making at that season but a very short visit. It appears to prefer 
the shores of muddy ponds and creeks, where it collects its food, having apparently, 
like many other shore-birds, a special fondness for the spawn of the horse-foot 
crab. It returns from the north in the latter part of August, and remains until cold 
weather. On the meadows in the vicinity of Oyster Pond Mr. Giraud has met with 
this bird in November. In the autumn it is in tine condition, and its flesh is then 
very finely flavored. It does not generally associate in large flocks, but roves about 
in parties of from five to twelve. Its voice is much stronger than that of the flavipes, 
and consists of fewer notes, imitations of which it will blindly follow. Though more 
suspicious than the Common Yellowshanks, it can be decoyed if the sportsman is 
skilful and lies close. This bird is described as having a graceful carriage as it walks 
over the ground, collecting its food in an elegant and easy manner. It is capable of 
very rapid flight, and at times mounts high in the air, from which elevation its loud, 
clear, and familiar notes may often be recognized. In its general habits, as well as 
in its appearance, it bears a strong resemblance to th q flavipes. It is more common 
on the shores of New Jersey than on Long Island, and is said occasionally to breed 
there ; but no good evidence of this has been obtained, and Giraud was unable to find 
any proof that it ever breeds on Long Island. He never met with it there either in 
June or in July. 
This bird passes north along the coast of Massachusetts about the middle of April, 
the flight lasting until the middle of May. It returns from the north early in Au- 
gust, and is two or three weeks in passing south. 
It is found on the Pacific coast as far north as Vancouver Island, where Mr. E. 
Browne notes its presence. Dr. Cooper states that it is common throughout Cali- 
fornia, being usually found, singly or in small families, about marshes — both fresh 
and salt — during nearly all the year ; lie did not, however, observe, any as far to the 
south, in July, as San Pedro. One, which he shot at Fort Mojave in January, was 
of a remarkably small size, though a female ; and Dr. Cooper thinks it probable that 
this smallness is peculiar to all those inhabiting the interior desert regions, and that 
they may for this reason have been mistaken for the smaller Yellow-legs of the East. 
Dr. Cooper thinks that this bird breeds, without doubt, in California, although he did 
not meet with any of its nests along the coast. In the autumn it is found in small 
families about still waters, feeding on small shells, insects, Crustacea, etc. 
Mr. Salvin, who observed this species in Guatemala, states that, so far as noticed 
by him, it seemed to be more solitary in its habits than many of the other Waders. 
Barely was more than a single individual seen at a time ; and it also appeared to pre- 
fer the borders of the lake to the marshy resorts of the other species of W aders. 
It is said by Major Wedderburn to visit Bermuda in its southward migrations in 
the fall. It usually arrives in August, and is more or less common in some seasons. 
In 1848 quite a number came as early as the 4th of August, in company with the 
flavipes and the smaller Sandpipers. On the 20tlr of September a large flock was seen 
moving in a southeasterly direction. It occasionally remains until the 10th of No- 
vember. In only one instance has it been seen there in the spring ; this is said by Mr. 
Hurdis to have been on the 5th of June, 1852, when a single specimen was taken in 
full spring plumage. 
