RED-BREASTED SNIPE. 331 



a very pale ashy green ; sometimes the whole thighs, and sides of the 

 vent, are barred with dusky and white, as in the figure in the plate. 



The female diifers in being more obscure in her colors ; the white on 

 the back being less pure, and the black not so deep. 



Species IV. SCOL OP AX NO VEB OR A CENSIS. 



RED-BREASTED SNIPE. 



[Plate LVIII. Fig. 1.] 

 Arct. Zool. p. 464, No. 368.* 



This bird has a considerable resemblance to the common Snipe, not 

 only in its general form, size and colors, but likewise in the excellence 

 of its flesh, which is in high estimation. It differs, however, greatly 

 from the common Snipe in its manners, and in many other peculiarities, 

 a few of which, as far as I have myself observed, may be sketched as 

 follows. The Red-breasted Snipe arrives on the seacoast of New Jersey 

 early in April ; is seldom or never seen inland : early in May it proceeds 

 to the north to breed, and returns by the latter part of July, or begin- 

 ning of August. During its stay here it flies in flocks, sometimes very 

 high, and has then a loud and shrill whistle, making many evolutions 

 over the marshes ; forming, dividing, and reuniting. They sometimes 

 settle in such numbers, and so close together, that eighty-five have been 

 shot at one discharge of a musket. They spring from the marshes with 

 a loud twirling whistle, generally rising high, and making several 

 circuitous manoeuvres in air, before they descend. They frequent the 

 sand-bars, and mud-flats, at low water, in search of food ; and being 

 less suspicious of a boat than of a person on shore, are easily approached 

 by this medium, and shot down in great numbers. They usually keep 

 by themselves, being very numerous ; are in excellent order for the 

 table in September ; and on the approach of winter retire to the south. 



I have frequently amused myself with the various action of these 

 birds. They fly very rapidly, sometimes wheeling, coursing and 

 doubling along the surface of the marshes ; then shooting high in air, 

 there separating ; and forming in various bodies, uttering a kind of 

 quivering whistle. Among many which I opened in May, were several 



* We add the following synonymes : — Scolopax noveboracensis, Lath. Ltd. Orn. 

 p. 723, No. 32.— >S. grisea, id. p. 724, No. 33. Temm. Man. d'Om. p. 679. Gmel. 

 Si/st. p. 658, No. 27, adult in winter plumage. S. noveboracensis, Id. p. 658, No. 

 28, adult in summer plumage. 



