The Wandering Tattler 
General Range. —Breeds from south-central Alaska to the Macmillan River 
in Yukon, and south along rocky coasts, probably to Washington. Winters throughout 
Oceanica and on islands along the Pacific Coast of America from southern California 
to the Galapagos. 
Distribution in California. —Common spring and fall'migrant touching upon 
exposed and rocky portions of the coast and the islands. Sparingly resident in winter 
upon the Santa Barbara Islands. Malingerers, presumably non-breeders, occur 
throughout the summer. 
Authorities.—Cooper (Heteroscelus brevipes ), Am. Nat., vol. iv., 1871, p. 758 
(Monterey); Henshaw, Geog. Surv. W. 100th Merid., 1876, p. 272 (Santa Cruz Id., 
habits, actions); Howell, Pae. Coast Avifauna, no. 12, 1917, p. 48 (s. Calif, ids .);Grin- 
nell, Bryant, and Storer, Game Birds Calif., 1918, p. 422 (desc., occurrence, habits, etc.). 
WANDERING TATTLERS 
TO CHRISTEN a bird “wandering” is to make all birdmen god¬ 
fathers in interest; for what about any bird more captivates the imagina¬ 
tion than its disposition, and ability, to wander? This Tattler should 
be the patron saint and emblem of all who love the wild, and especially 
of those who, having once been upon the bosom of the broad Pacific, 
feel evermore the ebb and flow of salt water in their veins. Attu, Shamshu, 
Baranoff, Laysan, Marcus Island, Odgovigamut—these are all the same 
to II. incanus. His grip is always packed and his ticket always purchased 
for whatever clime, rock, or strand he takes a fancy to. Nor need he 
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