143 
The Hudsonian God wit is a fine bird on the verge of extinction. As 
frequently happens, it seemed to disappear suddenly and before its growing 
scarcity was realized. It is doubtful whether shooting in this country was 
altogether responsible for this condition. When a species is greatly reduced 
in numbers by any cause, an otherwise comparatively unimportant adverse 
influence may suffice to snuff it out unexpectedly. Protection is ineffective 
when delayed so long that the breeding stock is too greatly reduced for 
recovery. This Godwit disappeared before serious effects of western settle- 
ment could have occurred, and we can console ourselves with the reflection 
that its disappearance was probably due mostly to conditions on the 
Argentine pampas and in its winter quarters. 
262. Buff-breasted Sandpiper. Tryngites subruficollis. L, 11-50. A small, buff- 
coloured Sandpiper. A soft, light buff all below, strongest on breast. Above, from tail to 
crown, dark brown, nearly black, feathers heavily edged with light ochre. No conspicuous 
markings anj where. 
Figure 168 
Under-wing surface of Buff-breasted Sandpiper; natural size. 
Distinctions. The only small Sandpiper (about the size of Spotted) so evenly and 
extensively buff-coloured. Further distinctions found on the underwing surface, which is 
mostly white but beautifully mottled and marbled with black (Figure 168), a character 
exhibited by no other Shore Bird. 
Field Marks. As a rule an upland bird, but often seen with other Waders on the 
shores. A round-headed, short-billed (bill shorter than head), buffy little Wader, with dull 
yellow legs. Because of its upland habitat unlikely to be mistaken for anything except 
the Pectoral Sandpiper, but the buffy below is uniform and continuous over the under- 
parts and not contrasted with white throat and abdomen. On the beaches the species it 
is most likely to be confused with is Baird’s Sandpiper; but it is more buffy, especially below, 
is without white throat, and has larger and rounder-appearing head. 
Distribution. North and South America. Breeding on the Arctic coast, west of 
Hudson bay. Migrates in limited numbers through the Prairie and Eastern Provinces of 
Canada. Occasional records from the coast of British Columbia. 
This is one of the rarest of the generally distributed Sandpipers. We 
have scattered records of it right across Canada from practically every- 
where except Saskatchewan and the interior of British Columbia. Its 
absence from the former province is probably more apparent than real, as 
it has been taken on both sides and to the south. There is some doubt as 
to whether it ever was very common in the west, but it has certainly become 
less numerous of late years and instead of occasional large flocks only 
singles or small companies are now reported. 
Subfamily — Numeniinae. Tattlers and Curlews 
254. Greater Yellow-legs, greater tell-tale. Totanus melanoleucus. L, 14. 
Plate XVIII B. A large, graceful Wader, practically black and white in fine pattern, with 
long, yellow legs. 
Distinctions. Size, long yellow legs, and the lack of any buffy or rusty anywhere mark 
the Yellow-legs. In autumn, the breast marks may be veiled and indistinct. Almost identical 
in coloration with the Lesser Yellow-legs from which it is best separated by size. The 
