78 BAY-SNIPE SHOOTING. 
rably, and is killed in immense numbers. Its flight 
is rapid and irregular, especially when it is fright- 
ened; and, as food, it ranks with the yelper. 
The brant-bird is a beautiful bird, and stools well ; 
it rarely consorts in large flocks, and is quite accept- 
able on the table. 
The robin-snipe is a graceful, beautiful, and deli- 
cious bird; its favorite localities are the meadow- 
islands of the salt bays and lagoons; its flight is 
steady, and it does not collect in such immense flocks 
as the last named variety. Its whistle consists of 
two clear shrill notes, by which it is readily attracted ; 
and its predominant colors are grey on the back and 
red on the breast. 
The dowitcher, which is considered ornithologi- 
cally as the only true snipe of them all, has the 
habits of the sandpiper and the distinctive attributes 
of the scolopax ; it is abundant, extremely gentle, 
and excellent eating. It stools admirably, coming 
to any whistle whatever ; and although it can skiver 
when alarmed, it usually flies steadily. It associates 
with the smaller birds. 
The krieker feeds on the meadows, remains till 
late in October, becomes extremely fat, and is an 
epicurean delicacy ; it utters a creaking cry, but will 
not stool at all. It also flies with the smaller snipe. 
Having thus mentioned the peculiar distinctive 
qualities and characteristics of each bird, of which a 
fuller description will be given in another place, we 
will now pass to a consideration of the best mode of 
their pursuit. This being by stratagem, the more 
