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the throat, lower parts, hind part of the back, and the upper tail 



coverts white, and the feathers on the rump dusky. Adult with 

 the bill black; throat white; sides of the head mottled with black 

 and white ; crown streaked with black on white ground ; on the 

 hind neck a patch of white ; a patch of black on the sides of the 

 neck, of which color are the fore neck and the sides of the breast ; 

 lower parts white ; tail blackish-brown, white at the base, of which 

 color are the lateral feathers, with a spot of black on the inner 

 vanes near the end — the rest margined with reddish-brown and 

 tipped with white ; upper tail coverts white ; hind part of the back 

 white ; the feathers on the rump black ; fore part of the back mot- 

 tled with black and reddish-brown ; primaries dark brown, inner 

 webs white ; secondaries broadly edged with white, forming a band 

 on the v/ings ; outer secondary coverts reddish-brown ; inner black 

 — outer scapulars white, with dusky spots ; inner scapulars reddish 

 brown. In winter, the colors are duller. Length nine inches, 

 wing five and three quarters. 



In this vicinity, this species is better known to the gunners by 

 the name of " Brant Bird ;" at Egg Harbor it is called " Horse- 

 foot Snipe," from its feeding on the spawn of the King-crab, or 

 " Horse-fcot," as the bay-men term it. 



Early in the month of April it arrives among us from the South- 

 ern States where many pass the winter, and leaves for its breeding 

 place at the North in the latter part of May. It returns to the 

 shores of New Jersej"- and Long Island about September, where it 

 remains until late in autumn. This is not a numerous species. In 

 its habits it is rather solitary, and is seen singly or in small parties 

 at that season, v/andering along the beach in search of insects and 

 minute shell-fish, which it procures by rolling over the small pebbles, 

 from which it receives its name. In the fall, it is generally in fine 

 condition, and esteemed a delicacy. At Egg Harbor, the young of 

 the species are called '• Beach Birds." 



