UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 345 



called a Snipe, but when we take into view its habits, and the length 

 of its bill, we are at no loss to discover its relationship to the family 

 of the Triii f/a' or Sandpipers. 



The common name of this species, on our coast, is the Gray-back ; 

 and among the gunners it is a particular favourite, being generally a 

 plump, tender and excellent bird for the table; and, consequently, 

 bringing a good price in market. The Gray-backs do not breed on 

 thQ shores of the middle states. Their first appearance is early in 

 May. They remain a few weeks, and disappear until October. They 

 usually keep in small flocks, and alight in a close body together on 

 the sand flats, where they search for the small bivalve shells. They 

 do not run about in the water as much as some others, nor with the 

 same rapidity, but appear more tranquil and deliberate. In the month 

 of November the}' retire to the south. 



Spotted Sandpiper. This very common species arrives in Pennsyl- 

 vania about the twentieth of April, tracing the courses of our creeks 

 and streams towards the interior. It is remarkable for perpetually 

 wagging the tail ; for whether running on the ground, or on the fen- 

 ces, along the rails, or in the water, this motion seems continual. 

 About the middle of May they resort to the adjoining corn fields to 

 breed ; the eggs are four, and large in proportion to the size of the 

 bird. The young run as soon as freed from the shell. The flight of 

 the Spotted Sandpiper is usually low. It skims along the surface of 

 the water, while it utters its rapid notes of weet weet weet, seldom 

 steering in a direct line up or down the river, but making a long 

 circuitous sweep, stretching a great way out, and gradually bending 

 in again to the shore. 



The Purre is one of the most numerous of our Strand-birds, or 

 ^<n/>! Snipi-*, as they are usually called, that frequent the sandy beach, 

 on the frontiers of the ocean. They trace the flowing and recession 

 of the waves with great nimbleness, wading and searching among 

 the loosened particles for their favourite food, which is a small thin 

 oval bivalve shell-fish, of a white or pearl colour, and not larger 

 than the seed of an apple. During the latter part of summer and 

 autumn, these minute shell-fish constitute the food of almost all those 

 busy flocks that run with such activity along the sands, among the 

 flowing and retreating waves. It is amusing to observe with what 

 adroitness they follow and elude the tumbling surf, while at the same 

 time they seem wholly intent on collecting their food. These birds, 

 in conjunction with several others, sometimes collect together in 

 such numbers, as to seem, at a distance, a cloud of thick smoke, 

 varying in form and appearance every instant, while it performs its 

 evolutions in air. As this cloud descends and courses along the 

 shores of the ocean, with great rapidity, in a kind of serpentine 

 flight, alternately throwing its dark and white colours to the eye, it 

 forms a very grand and interesting appearance. At such times the 

 gunners make prodigious slaughter among them ; while, as the 

 showers of their companions fall, the whole body often alight, or 

 descend to the surface with them, till the sportsman is completely 

 satiated with destruction. All the Strand-birds become very fat, 

 and are good eating. 



Black-bellied Plover. This bird is known in some parts of the 

 country by the name of the large Whistling Field Plover. It generally 

 makes its first appearance in Pennsylvania late in April ; frequents 



