GREATER TELL-TALE. 483 
time after incubation. They cease their cries, grow less uneasy, become gentle, if still 
auspicious, and may generally be seen stalking quietly about the nest. When Willets 
are found in that humor—absent- minded, as it were, absorbed in reflection upon their en- 
grossing duties, and unlikely to observe anything not directly in front of their bill—it 
is pretty good evidence that they have a nest hard by. Itis the same with Avocets, and 
probably many other waders. During incubation the bird that is ‘‘ off duty ” (both 
parents are said to take turns at this) almost always indulges in revery, doubtless rose 
tinted, and becomes in a corresponding degree oblivious to outward things. If then 
they are not set upon in a manner entirely too rude and boisterous, the inquiring orni- 
thologist could desire no better opportunity than he will have to observe their every 
motion and attitude. But once let them become thoroughly alarmed by too open ap- 
proch, particularly if the setting bird be driven from her nest, and the scene quickly 
shifts; there is a great outery, violent protest and tumult, where was quietude. Other 
pairs, nesting near by, j in their cries till the confusion becomes general. But now, 
again, their actions are not those they would show at other times; for instead of fly- 
ing off with the instinct of self-preservation, to put distance between them and danger, 
they are held by some fascination to the spot, and hover around, wheeling about, flying 
in circles a little ways to return again, with unremitting clamcr. They may be only too 
easily destroyed under such circumstances, provided the ornithologist can lay aside his 
scraples and steel himself against sympathy. 
The half webbing of the toes renders this species something of a swimmer, if necessity 
arise ; but it only takes to water bsyond its depth under urgent circumstances. In size 
as well as in plumage it is very variable; the length of the legs, particularly, varies in 
different individuals to a surprising degree.” 
Sub-genus Glottis. Toes with inner web very small; legs yellow. 
ToTANUS MELANOLEUOCUS (Gm.) V. 
Greater 'Tell-tale. 
Totanus melanoleucus, KIRTLAND, Ohio Geolog Surv., 183, 165.—AUDUBON, Orn. Biog., 
iy, 1838, 63—WHxaTON, Food of Birds, ete., Ohio Agric. Rep. for 1874, 1875, 570; Re- 
print, 12.—Lanepon, Cat. Birds of Cin., 1877, 15; Revised List, Journ. Cin. Soe. 
Nat Hist., i, 1879, 183; Reprint, 17; Summer Birds, ib, iii, 1880, 227. 
Totanus vociferus, AUDUBON, B. Am., v, 1842, 317. 
Gambetta melanoleuca, WHEATON, Ohio Agric. Rep for 1860, 1861, 369; Reprint, 11. 
Scolopax melanoleuca, GMELIN, Syst. Nat., i, 1788, 659. 
Totanus melanoleucus, VinILLOT, N. D. a’ H.N., 1816. 
Gamietia melanolvuca, BONAPARTE, Comp. Rend., 1856. 
Bill straight or slightly bent upwards, very slender, grooved half its length or less, 
black ; legs long and slender, yellow. Insummer, ashy-brown, above varied with black 
and speckled with whitish, below white, jagulum streaked, and breast, sides and cris- 
sum speckled or barred with blackish, these latter marks fewer or wanting in winter 
and in the young; upper tail-coverts white with dark bars; tail feathers marbled or 
barred with ashy or white; quills blackish. Large; length, over 12; wing, over 7; tail, 
3 or more; bill, 2 or more; tarsus, about 24; middle toe and claw, 14; tibia bare, 14. 
Habitat, Western Hemisphere. In the United States, chiefly migratory, and in win- 
ter. Breeds mostly in high latitudes. Abundant. 
