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258, Willet (Including Western Wlllet). Catoptrophorus semipalmatus . L, 15. 
Plate XIX A. A large, grey Shore Bird with white rump and pale tail and a conspicuous 
white bar across the wings. 
Distinctions. There is no other species with which the Willet is likely to be confused. 
The general greyish and white colour and conspicuous black and white wings are perfectly 
distinctive even if*che large size of the species be not sufficient identification. 
Field Marks. A large grey and white Wader with white rump and tail, and in flight 
with a flaring white bar across black wings. 
Distribution. North and South America. Breeding from Nova Scotia in the east 
and the prairies in the west, southwards. Only a single record, from near Victoria, for 
British Columbia. 
SUBSPECIES. The Willet of the west is the Western Willet Caloplrophorus semi- 
palmatus inomatus, the type form, Catoptrophorus semipalmatus semipalmatus , being 
confined to the Atlantic coast. The western bird is slightly paler than the eastern one. 
The case of the Eastern Willet has furnished us with a good object 
lesson in what may be accomplished by practical conservation. Up to a 
few years ago the Willet was deemed extinct north of Virginia. About 
1916 the existence of a few breeding pairs on the Nova Scotia coast was 
called to our attention. Efforts to preserve them were made by special 
officers, admirably seconded by local residents, especially the late 
H. A. P. Smith, of Digby. The birds began to increase immediately and 
the future of this once depleted race is promising. The Western Willet is 
not an uncommon bird on our prairies today, but, like the Godwit and the 
Long-billed Curlew, it offers great temptation to the occasional pot-hunter, 
and unless he can be controlled it is doubtful how long the Willet will 
survive in appreciable numbers. It is one of the three big Waders that are 
so characteristic of the great prairies, the other two being the Marbled 
Godwit and the Long-billed Curlew. It loves to stand on the edge of the 
muddy water and raise its striking black and white wings, banner-like, 
over its back, and pose spectacularly. Passing by in the bright sunshine, 
its white barred wings flash like a heliograph message. The most character- 
istic note is a long, musically whistled “ Pill-will-wiUet'*. Sometimes this 
is heard on a still night, and when broken and softened by distance it 
sounds remarkably like the mournful plaint of the Whip-poor-will. 
259. Wandering Tattler. Heteroscelus ineanus. L, 10-50. A rather large, grey 
Wader. The adult is an even slate grey above, from tail to crown, without pattern or design. 
Below and flanks white, closely crossed with irregular bars of the same colour as the back, 
changing to fine stripes up foreneck and sparse speckles on throat. The juvenile is similar, 
but the barring below is replaced by a suffusion of even light grey on flanks, across breast, 
and up foreneck. 
Distinctions. In spring the heavy grey barring below is mistakable for no other 
species. The Stilt Sandpiper is the only other Wader with breast so barred, but it is much 
smaller and the colour is warm brown instead of slate grey. In juvenility, the Wandering 
Tattler is rather like an autumn Knot, but the grey is decidedly darker, plumbeous rather 
than ash-grey, with practically no pattern, and the rump is the same colour as the tail and 
back. The autumn Surf Bird has also a general resemblance to the autumn Tattler, but has 
a white rump, considerable white in the wings, a well-streaked throat, and a closely spotted 
or striped breast. 
Field Marks. A rather large grey Wader; adult heavily barred below. Juvenile, 
white below with faint breast suffusion, but no other conspicuous characters. Bill rather 
longer than head. 
Distribution. Rocky coastB and islands of the Pacific. It breeds in interior of Alaska 
and the Yukon, but its nest has only lately been found. It migrates down our British 
Columbia coast, but never occurs inland except as noted above. A purely maritime 
Bpecies except in the breeding season when some at least seem to go inland to nest; at 
other times it is confined to rocky shores. 
