Rare Feeding Yellowlegs
William H. Southard (1874-1940)
Seaford, Long Island, NY,c. 1890
11.5"
 
Virtually all of Southard's known yellowlegs are runners with elongated racy bodies and outstretched bills or more typical upright decoys.  This very rare example features Southard's typical running body but instead of an outstretched bill, the bill is angled down in a feeder position.  This exemplary bird features carved eyes, a splined bill, and deeply-cut, raised wing carving.  The bird was finished with tight stippled paint that covers it from top to bottom and tip to tail.
 
Condition: Strong original paint with gunning wear to include some flaking, rubs, and a few shot scars.  Bill is likely an in use replacement.
 
Provenance:
ex. Tim Seiger collection
 
Literature:
Timothy Sieger, "The Decoys of Long Island," Water Mills, NY, 2010, p. 37, other known feeder illustrated.
 
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