194 BAY-SNIPE SHOOTING. 



« 

 bird, and krieker. The upland or grass-plover is pur- 

 sued in a different manner, and the smaller birds aro 

 not pursued for sport at all. 



The sickle-bills, so named after tiie beautiful sweep- 

 ing curve of the bill, which has been known to mea- 

 sure eleven inches in length, are the largest of them 

 all. They are colored much like a mnrlin, have a 

 beautiful bright eye, a short reed-like call, and a 

 steady, dignified flight. In stretch of wings they 

 exceed three feet, and nothing can be more impres- 

 sive than the approach of a large flock of these birds 

 with wings and bills extended and legs dropped in 

 preparation for alighting amid the stools. 



They are often shy in the first instance, but as 

 soon as one of their number is killed, they return 

 again and again to the fatal spot — apparently in blind 

 confidence that he must have alighted instead of 

 fallen, or out of brotherly anxiety for his fate. I 

 have on several occasions attracted a lai'ge flock that 

 was hesitating whether to approach or not, and 

 almost resolvmg to depart, by killing one of their 

 number that incautiously ventured within long 

 range — for immediately on seeing him fall, they 

 approached, in spite of the report, with full con- 

 fidence. 



They are easily killed, by reason of their mode- 

 rate speed and customary steadiness, although they 

 can dart rapidly when alarmed, and will often, like 

 all the bay-birds, carry off much shot. Their flesh 

 is tough, very dark, and scarcely fit for the table, 

 except perhaps when they first come on from feed- 



