76 BAY-SNIPE SHOOTING. 
ing on the more dainty repasts furnished by the up- 
lands of Labrador. 
The jack-curlew is a still more wary bird, and al- 
though he comes to the stools, rarely pauses over 
them, and never returns after beimg once fired at. 
He is seldom seen im large flocks, and flies rapidly 
and steadily. His ery is longer than that of the 
sickle-bill, and, like it, easy to imitate. From his 
wariness and rarity he is regarded as the greatest 
prize of the sportsman, although his flesh is little 
better than that of the sickle-bill. 
The marlin is quite common, very gentle, stools 
admirably, and goes in large flocks. In color it is 
similar to the sickle-bill, but it is much smaller and has 
a straight, if not slightly recurved, bill. It is attracted 
by the same call, and is equally tough and sedgy as 
food. The ring-tailed marlin differs from it entirely 
in color, resembling a willet—except that its wings 
are darker, and its tail black with a white ring—but 
it has the long, straight, marlin bill. It isa rare bird, 
seldom collects in large flocks, and is often fat and 
tolerable eating. It does not stool as well as its 
plainer brother, but from its scarcity and higher 
gastronomic claims, it is more highly prized. 
The willet is greyish in general color, with a white 
belly and broad bands of black and white across its 
wings. It has a loud, shrill shriek, stools well, flies 
steadily, congregates in large flocks, and when fat is 
quite eatable. It often associates with marlins and 
sickle-bills, where its light colors make a beautiful 
contrast. 
