Measurements—Total length, 10 1/2 inches; wing, 5 3/4; bill, about 2 1/2 inches, and with a considerable swelling at the end.
| GREATER YELLOW-LEGS (Totanus melanoleucus) |
THE GREATER YELLOW-LEGS
(Totanus melanoleucus)
The greater yellow-legs migrates throughout the entire region, being common on the beaches of Washington, Oregon and California during the fall and early winter as it works its way to Lower California and Mexico. It somewhat resembles the godwit in coloring, but it is more of a grayish tinge. Its shorter bill—not over two and a half inches in length—will always distinguish it from the godwit. So, also, will its sharp whistling note. It is nearly as delicate a table bird as the Wilson snipe.
Color—Top of head and neck, brown, with whitish streaks; back, brown, with the feathers edged with white; chin, white; breast, white, lined with narrow streaks of brown; bill, black, and legs, yellow.
Nest and Eggs—The nests are built close to the water's edge, containing four light buff eggs, spotted with brown.
Measurements—Total length, 14 inches; wing, 7 3/4; bill, 2 1/4, to 2 1/2 inches.