SCOLOPACID^. 



469 



constitute the food of almost all those busy flocks that 

 run with such activity along the sands among the flowing 

 and retreating waters. They are ahvays swallowed 

 whole, but the action of the bird's stomach, assisted by 

 the shells themselves, soon reduces them to a pulp, which 

 must be very nutritious, as the tribes that feed on these 

 little mollusks are, at this season, generally extremely 

 fat. Digging for these in the hard sand would be a work 

 of considerable labour, whereas, when the sand is loosened 

 by the flowing of the sea, the birds collect them with 

 great ease and dexterity. It is amusing to observe with 

 what adroitness they follow and elude the tumbling surf, 

 while at the same time they seem wdiolly intent on col- 

 lecting their food. They are plump birds, and by those 

 accustomed to the sedgy taste of theii- flesh, are esteemed 

 excellent food. 



