174 



WADING BIRDS. 



the interior of the fur countries, being particularly plenti- 

 ful on the Saskatchewan plains, where it frequents marshes 

 and bogs, walking on the surface of the swamp moss, 

 (Sphagna,) and thrusting down its bill to the nostrils in 

 quest of worms and leeches, which it discovers by the 

 sensitive point of its bill, thus finding means to obtain a 

 kind of food which would otherwise be imperceptible to 

 any other sense. They no doubt, likewise vary their fare, 

 and feed also upon insects, and larvae. They arrive on the 

 coasts of the Middle States in the month of May, and linger 

 on till some time in June. Many, however, at this time, 

 have already arrived at their ultimate destination in the 

 north, so that it is not improbable but some of these God- 

 wits may breed in more temperate regions to the west as 

 well as north, selecting the high plains of the Rocky Moun- 

 tains, in situations sufficiently moist. At all events, they 

 are seen in the lower part of Missouri, in the course of the 

 spring, but migrate, like most other waders, along the sea 

 coast, in the way to their tropical winter quarters. 



The Marbled Godwit, in large flocks, appears in the salt 

 marshes of Massachusetts, about the middle of August, 

 particularly towards the eastern extremity of the Bay, 

 around Chatham, and the Vineyard; their stay is, however, 

 very short, and they, at the same time, no doubt, visit the 

 eastern coast of Long Island. On these occasions, they 

 are assembled by many hundreds together, and usually 

 associate with the Short Billed Curlews, they themselves 

 being called Red Curlews; though here they are distinguish- 

 ed also by the name of Doe-birds, and, being at this season 

 fat, are highly esteemed for the table. They are very shy 

 and cautious, but when once confused by the fall and cries 

 ' of any of their companions, great destruction may be made 

 among them before they recover from the delusion ; they 

 thus make repeated circuits round the wounded and com- 



