224 THE JERSEY COAST. 



elegance, and willingly sleep, if not in the same room, 

 in chambers that lead into one another ; but it is 

 situated within a hundred yards of the best shooting 

 ground, and is as well kept as any other tavern on 

 the beach. Sportsmen do not mind- Availing their 

 turn to use the solitary wash basin, drawing water 

 from the hogshead, or wiping on the same towel, 

 but are thankful for good food, and the luxury of a 

 well filled ice-house. 



In addition to the general directions heretofore 

 given, it may be well in this connexion to describe 

 more particularly the mode of killing bay-snipe. A 

 number of imitation birds, usually called stools, are 

 cut from wood, and painted to resemble the various 

 species ; they have a long stick, or leg, inserted into 

 the lower part of the body, and a sufficient number 

 to constitute a large flock arc set up in shallow 

 water, or upon some bar where the birds are accus- 

 tomed to feed. They are made from thin wood, or 

 even from tin, and are headed various ways so as to 

 show in all directions ; the coarsest and least perfect 

 imitations will answer. 



The most remarkable trait of the shore birds, or 

 bay-snipe, is their gregarious nature and sociability. 

 A flock flying high in air, apparently intent upon 

 some settled course, Avil!, the moment they see ano- 

 ther flock feeding, turn and join it. Their natural 

 history, or the object which they evidently have in 

 thus joining forces, does not seem to be understood ; 

 but the baymen, by imitation-birds and calls, take 

 advantage of this instinct. Farther south, along the 



