360 WEB-FOOTED BIRDS. 



as in Shetland, where they remain until spring. In Amer- 

 ica, though they visit in the course of their migrations, 

 most of the Northern and Middle States, they proceed still 

 farther south, to spend the winter, being seen on the Mis- 

 sissippi nearly to New Orleans. They retire from their 

 natal regions in the north in September ; and early in Oc- 

 tober are seen to arrive in great numbers about Ipswich, 

 Cape Ann, and Cape Cod in Massachusetts, continuing to 

 come till the month of November, and generally appearing 

 in greater numbers after the occurrence of an eastwardly 

 storm. In hazy weather they also fly low and diverge into 

 the bays and inlets. Many of these wandering flocks pass 

 on to the south almost without any delay, usually in mar- 

 shalled and angular lines, but sometimes in a confused 

 gang, loudly gabbling as they proceed. Their stay here is 

 commonly so short that it is necessary to ambuscade in huts 

 on their route in order to obtain them. The course of their 

 passage is remarkably uniform, and instead of winding 

 round the bays, they cross over the narrow necks and penin- 

 sulas of land which lie in their southern route, as if in 

 haste to arrive at some particular destination, or dissat- 

 isfied with the prospect of fare. They continue almost 

 without interruption their inflexible course, until seduced 

 by the mildness of the climate or the abundance of their 

 food, they seem inclined to take up their permanent winter 

 residence in the inlets of Long Island, and the sheltered 

 bays of New Jersey ; arriving, according to Wilson, in Egg 

 Harbour, sometimes as early as the 20th of September, or 

 almost without the intermission of any interval, but for 

 necessary food and repose, from the time of their leaving 

 the shores of Hudson's Bay. The first flights, still ad- 

 venturous and roving, generally remain here only a few 

 days, and then pass on still farther to the south. Flocks con- 

 tinue, however, to arrive from the north, and many remain in 



