280 MACRORHAMPHUS GRISEUS. 



When wounded and brought to the Avater, they try in vain 

 to dive ; and on reaching the nearest part of the shore, they 

 usually run a few steps and squat among the grass, when 

 it becomes difficult to find them. Those which have 

 escaped unhurt often remain looking upon their dead 

 companions, sometimes waiting until shot at a second time. 

 When they are fat they afford good eating, but their flesh 

 is at no time so savoury as that of the common American 

 Snipe. 



" The cry of this species when on wing is a single and 

 rather mellow weet. When on the ground I have heard 

 them emit a continued guttural rolling sound, such as is on 

 certain occasions given out by the species just mentioned. 

 Their call-note resembles the soft and pleasing sound of a 

 whistle ; but I have never heard them emit it while travelling. 

 Nothing is known respecting their breeding, and yet there 

 can be little doubt that many of them must rear young 

 within the limits of the Union." 



Adult in Summer. — The bill, eyes, and feet as in 

 winter. The upper parts are brownish-black, varied with 

 light brownish-red, the feathers being margined or spotted, 

 the scapulars and inner secondaries obliquely barred with 

 the latter colour. The hind part of the back and the tail 

 are reddish-white, barred with dusky. The wing-coverts 

 are greyish-brown, darker in the centre, the larger barred or 

 spotted with yellowish -red ; the quills as in winter, some of 

 the secondaries barred with white. A reddish-white band 

 over the eye, loral space dusky ; lower parts light yellowish- 

 red, with streaks of dusky on the neck, spots on the breast, 

 and bars on the sides and lower tail-coverts. 



Eemarks. — For opportunities of examining this species 

 I am indebted to Mr. Audubon, who, besides allowing me 

 the use of his dried specimens, presented me with some 

 preserved in spirits. 



