SUPPLEMENT TO BIRDS OF ESSEX COUNTY 



79 



lie on the side, or flutter off making themselves very conspicuous, with wings and 

 tail spread. 



Mr. A. P. Stubbs on October 13, 1915, saw a Wilson's Snipe kill itself by 

 flying against a trolley-wire in Lynn. 



102 [231] Macrorhamphus griseus griseus (Gniel.). 

 Dowitcher; Red-breasted Snipe; "Robin Snipe"; "Brown-back." 



Not uncommon transient visitor, rare in spring. May 20 to June 7; July 6 

 to September 25. 



The September 25 record was of a bird at Eagle Hill in 1909, seen by Mr. 

 S. P. Fay. 



In the original Memoir I said I had never seen this bird on a beach. On 

 August 5, 1916, I saw one on Ipswich Beach at dead-low tide. 



The Dowitcher has probably increased slightly in numbers since the Federal 

 Law went into effect. This increase, I am inclined to think, is due not so much 

 to the law that protects it at all times, but to the fact that shooting is not allowed 

 at all until August 15 instead of, as formerly, on July 15. Most of the Dowitchers 

 have passed by August 15. With the best intentions of observing the law, 

 many gunners shoot these birds under the impression they are shooting Summer 

 Yellow-legs. 



As the Dowitcher is especially fond of shallow, brackish water and of mud- 

 flats devoid of vegetation, the shores of Clark's Pond at Great Neck, Ipswich, are 

 their favorite resort. On July 26, 1914, I watched at that place a flock of nine- 

 teen of these birds. They waded in water up to their bellies and their long bills 

 and heads were partially or wholly immersed in the water. A chopping motion 

 with head and neck is made, and the bill is rarely withdrawn entirely from 

 the water. 



In feeding and in flight the Dowitcher forms compact flocks. The long 

 straight bill, out of all proportion to the size of the bird, is the most noticeable 

 field-mark. The legs are yellowish green. In flight the white-barred tail-feathers 

 and the gray triangle on the rump with its apex on the back between the wings 

 are noticeable features. 



103 [232] Macrorhamphus griseus scolopaceus (Say). 

 Long-billed Dowitcher; Western Dowitcher. 

 Accidental visitor from the West. 



