Vol. XXl-j Williams, Birds of Leon County, Fla. 453 



33. Gallinago delicata. Wilson's Snipe. — Common winter resident, 

 frequenting almost any marshy locality. Occurs in great abundance on 

 the marshes of our lakes and larger ponds during the spring migration. 

 I have even found them feeding on the hillsides in very wet weather. 

 Large numbers are annually shot by hunters. Gallinago is easy prey in 

 the south where their flight is less erratic and not so swift as I am 

 informed that it is in the north. A friend of mine killed sixty odd in a 

 single day's shooting on Lake Jackson a few winters ago. They are less 

 abundant than formerly. They leave the State about April 15, and I have 

 an arrival record of October 3 (1901). 



34. Helodromas solitarius. Solitary Sandpiper. — Occurs spar- 

 ingly in the early spring, frequenting marshy land wherever it may be 

 found. Shot one and saw a few others on March 25, 1901. 



35. Bartramia longicauda. Bartramian Sandpiper. — An occasional 

 winter visitor in very wet weather ; usually occurs in the spring. Shot 

 one and saw about five others on March 25, 1901. They are extremely 

 wary and difficult to approach. 



36. Oxyechus vociferus. Killdeer.— Very common winter and early 

 spring resident, occurring sparingly throughout the year. Indifferent in 

 its tastes for locality, for you are as likely to find it on high and dry lands 

 as on the marshes. It is very active during the hours of darkness. 

 Forms an object of sport for the younger nimrods. I have one record of 

 its nesting in the county. A set of four eggs was taken several years 

 ago by a friend. 



37. Colinus virginianus. Bob-white. — Common resident. Our birds 

 approach more nearly the common form, but are considerably darker, 

 especially in the region of the head. It is quite probable that Jioridanus 

 may be found in the southern part of the county. Some of the finest 

 'quail ' shooting in this country is still to be had in Leon County. 



38. Meleagris gallopavo silvestris. Wild Turkey. — Resident; form- 

 erly' common, now restricted to wilder portions of the county. 



39. Zenaidura macroura. Mourning Dove. — Common resident. 

 Much more abundant in winter. Nests usually in pines. Large numbers 

 are annually killed for sport and food. Its flesh is held in high estimation. 



40. Columbigallina passerina terrestris. Ground Dove. — Resident. 

 Formerly abundant at all times, now, from some unaccountable reason, 

 exceedingly rare at any time. Its total disappearance for the space of 

 twelve months in very recent years is one of the mysteries of Leon County 

 ornithology. Latterly it has returned in very limited numbers. 



41. Cathartes aura. Turkey Vulture. — Common resident. Fre- 

 quents the city in larger numbers than Catkarista and is more nearly 

 domesticated. It performs valuable sanitary functions, ridding our yards 

 and streets of much oftal and excrementitious substances. It is exempt 

 from even the recklessness of boys and enjoys immunity from danger 

 everywhere. Though as common as the following species, its nests are 

 seldom found. 



