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GREATER YELLOWLEGS. 
The Lesser Yellowlegs remain in Massachusetts until late in September, when they all de¬ 
part southward, and although very abundant in autumn, they are seldom seen in this sec¬ 
tion in spring, evidently reaching their northern breeding grounds by migrating through 
the interior. They are not strictly confined to the coast in autumn, however, but are found 
throughout the West. 
TOTANUS MELANOLEUCUS. 
Greater Yellowlegs. 
Totanus mclanoleucus Vieill., Nouv. Diet.; 1816, 400. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Sp. Cn Form, slender. Size, large. Tongue, long and thm, tapering toward tip which is horny and pointed. Mem¬ 
brane between toes, not large. Inner marginal indentations large and never inclosed. Legs, very long. Coeca, small, on¬ 
ly ’40 long. 
Color. Adult. Above, dark-brown, streaked, spotted, and banded, with white. Rump and upper tail coverts, white, 
faintly banded with dusky. Tail, finely banded with white. Beneath, white, streaked on neck and breast and banded on 
sides, with dark-brown. 
Young. Similar to the adult, but more ashy above, and the streakings beneath are not as well defined. Iris, brown, 
bill, black, and feet, yellow, in all stages. 
OBSERVATIONS. 
Readily known from all others by the large size, straight, slender bill, long yellow legs, white, slightly banded rump, 
and colors as described. Distributed, in summer, throughout Arctic America. Winters from the Carolinas, southward. 
DIMENSIONS. 
Average measurements of specimens from Eastern North America. Length, 13*20; stretch, 24 - 25; wing, 7 - 95; tail, 3 15; 
bill, 2*30; tarsus, 2’45. Longest specimen, 14*25; greatest extent of wing, 25'5D; longest wing, 8’70; tail.3’30; bill, 2'56; tar¬ 
sus, 2 70. Shortest specimen, 12* 15; smallest extentofwing, 23*50; shortest wing, 7* 15; tail, 2*95; bill, 2 - 05; tarsus, 2 25. 
HABITS. 
Although resembling the preceding species in many habits, the Greater Yellowlegs do 
not appear in Massachusetts until, at least six weeks, after the first Summer Yellowleghas 
come, and they remain late in the season; consequently are sometimes termed Winter Yel¬ 
lowlegs. They frequent much the same grounds as the smaller species and associate with 
them; but are much shyer birds and when approached, will sound their loud, whistling cry, 
raise their long wings once or twice, then rise, whistling as they go, generally followed by 
all their smaller companions. In the South, they are particularly abundant, and may be seen 
wading in the pools or shallow margins of the rivers and lagoons, feeding upon small fish¬ 
es, crustaceans, etc. On their way north, the Greater Yellowlegs pass Massachusetts, and 
their loud, cheery whistle, coming to the ear from over the marshes, which are just show¬ 
ing a tinge of green, proclaims that the pleasant summer days are rapidly approaching. 
Although both Yellowlegs are classed among the game birds, I cannot say that I consider 
their flesh particularly fine eating, as it is apt to be dry and strong. Well authenticated 
eggs of the Greater Yellowlegs, appear to be rare and I have never had an opportunity of 
examining one. 
TOTANUS SEMIPALMATUS. 
Willet. 
Totanus semipalmalus Tehm., Man. Orn. II; 637. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Sp. Ch Form, robust. Size, large. Bill, stout. Tongue, long, thin and slender, tapering gradually toward tip which 
is pointed. Membrane between toes, large. Legs, long and stout. Marginal indentations, small, but never inclosed. 
