SCOLOPACID.E — THE SNIPE FAMILY — LIMOSA. 257 



southern region. In August they had become more numerous ; and. about the time 

 of his leaving he saw them daily in the lagoon. 



Dr. Cooper states that this species is common through nearly all the year along 

 the southern half of the Californian coast ; and it seemed to him probable that it 

 breeds within or near the limits of that State, as the young make their appearance, 

 fully fledged, near San Pedro in July, and remain until the 20th of May, if not later. 



According to Giraud it arrives in tlie month of May on the sea-coast of Long 

 Island, where it is well known to the sportsmen both as the Marlin and as the Great 

 Marbled Godwit. It visits that locality regularly every spring and autumn, but never 

 in abundance. It associates in flocks, and usually passes its time on the shoals and 

 salt-marshes, being exceedingly watchful, and not permitting a near approach; yet 

 whenever any one of its number is wounded, its associates hover around it and utter 

 loud and shrill cries. On such an occasion they crowd together and offer an excellent 

 opportunity for the hunter to secure others. Pelican Bar is said to be a favorable 

 place for procuring this species. Giraud adds that its flesh is tender and juicy, and 

 that it is highly prized as a game-bird by epicures. 



This Curlew is not common in Massachusetts, it being much less frequently met 

 with than the smaller species. A few are seen both in their spring migrations and in 

 the fall, in the more easterly portions of Barnstable County. Mr. Boardman informs 

 us that it is found at Grand Menan late in the summer and during its migrations 

 southward. 



Wilson, who only observed this bird on the shore of New Jersey, regarded it 

 as exclusively migratory, coming in May and returning in October and Xovember, 

 a few lingering into June. They were known to hunters as the Red Curlew and 

 the Straight-billed Curlew. He characterizes it as shy, cautious, and watchful, yet 

 so strongly attached to its companions, that when one in a flock is wounded, the rest 

 are immediately arrested in their flight, making so many circuits over the spot where 

 it lies fluttering and screaming, that the sportsman often makes great destruction 

 among them. This bird may be enticed within shot by imitating its Avhistle, but 

 can seldom be otherwise approached. It is found usually among the salt-marshes, 

 and in the fall is very fat. 



Isuttall ventured the conjecture — since veritied — that some of this species may yet 

 be found to breed in more temperate regions to the West, as well as at the Xorth. In 

 his day this species is said to have appeared about the middle of August in the salt- 

 marshes of Massachusetts, particularly towards the eastern extremity, around Chatham 

 and the Vineyard, their stay being very short. It may be that he mistook for this 

 the Hudsonian, which in some seasons is very abundant on this coast. At present, 

 at least, it is only an occasional visitant, though said in iSTuttall's time to assemble in 

 flocks of many hundreds. Verrill speaks of it as rare on the coast of Maine, and it 

 is not given by Boardman in his List of the Birds of Calais, although he has since 

 been informed that it probably breeds in Prince Edward's Island. 



Mr. Audubon met with this species in Florida, during winter, on all the large 

 muddy flats of the coast. It was generally seen in flocks of five or six, in company 

 with several other kinds of Waders. Few birds are found more shy or vigilant; 

 but when in large flocks they may occasionally be approached and killed in large 

 numbers. On the last of May, 1832, he saw, on an extensive mud-bar about six miles 

 south of Cape Sable, an ijnmense flock of these birds, amounting to some thousands 

 in number. Four or five shots enabled him to obtain all he desired. Those killed 

 were plump and excellent eating. The next morning the whole flock had moved north. 

 This bird has a regular and quick flight, and when ndgrating usually moves in 



VOL. I. — 33 



