EASTERN DOWITCSfiR 111 



erally bunched together in the flock; I once shot four dowitchers 

 out of a mixed flock without hitting any of the smaller birds. When 

 a flock of dowitchers alights the birds are closely bunched, but they 

 soon scatter out and begin to feed. If a flock is shot into, the sym- 

 pathetic and confiding birds return again and again to their fallen 

 companions until only a pitiful remnant is left to finally escape. 

 Such slaughter of the innocents well-nigh exterminated this gentle 

 species; but, now that it is protected, it is beginning to increase 

 again. 



Although all shore birds can swim, the dowitcher seems to be 

 especially adept at it. Doctor Coues (1874) writes: 



Being partly web-footed, this snipe swims tolerably well for a little dis- 

 tance in an emergency, as when it may get for a moment beyond its depth 

 in wading about, or when it may fall, broken-winged, on the water. On such 

 on occasion as this last, I have seen one swim bravely for 20 or 30 yards, 

 with a curious bobbing motion of the head and corresponding jerking of the 

 tail, to a hiding place in the rank grass across the pool. When thus hidden 

 they keep perfectly still, and may be picked up without resistance, except a 

 weak flutter, and perhaps a low, pleading cry for pity on their pain and 

 helplessness. When feeding at their ease, in consciousness of peace and se- 

 curity, few birds are of more pleasing appearance. Their movements are grace- 

 ful and their attitudes often beautifully statuesque. 



W. E. D. Scott (1881) says: 



A curious habit of this species was noted at the mouth of the Withlacoochee, 

 where I saw the birds alight in very deep water and swim about for con- 

 siderable time. This occurred in every instance after a flock had been fired at, 

 and I thought at first that the birds had been wounded, but after observing 

 the occurrence a number of times and on watching the birds while in the 

 water I concluded that such was not the case. Those I noted were generally 

 solitary individuals, but twice I saw three, and once four, alight in the water, 

 swim lightly and gracefully about, and, when disturbed, rise easily and fly 

 away. 



Voice. — John T. Nichols has sent me the following notes on the 

 characteristic calls of this species. 



The flight note of the dowitcher resembles that of the lesser yellowlegs bitt 

 is recognizably different, less loud and more hurried, usually suggesting the 

 bird's name: dowitch, or dowitcher, sometimes of a single syllable. This call 

 is subject to considerable variation. When used as a regular flight or recogni- 

 tion note I believe it is most frequently two-syllabled, clear and full. When 

 the call becomes more abrupt and emphatic and the last syllable is multiplied 

 it seems to indicate that the bird is excited rather than to have other especial 

 significance ; thus, dowicheche. 



This note appears to be identical in the eastern dowitcher and the long- 

 billed race which I have studied in Florida. Other minor calls of the dowitcher 

 are single, unloud, low-pitched chups with which a flock manoeuvred about 

 decoys (Long Island, August) resembling an analogous yellowleg note; a low 

 rattle when dropping down to alight (Long Island, May) ; a mellow, ploverlike 

 cluce, suggesting a call of single lesser yellowlegs when loath to leave a feed- 



