THE PIGEONS, GROUSE, AND SHORE-BIRDS. 231 



This scarcity is to be attributed chiefly to lack of protec- 

 tion by law in the Southern States, where the species passes 

 the winter, and to the spring and summer shooting in many 

 of the Northern States. It is greatly to be desired that these 

 evils should be remedied before this valuable bird becomes 

 practically extinct. 



The AMERICAN or WILSON'S SNIPE is similar in its make-up to 

 the woodcock, but it chooses different abodes. This snipe is 

 found in open wet places, in meadows, or on sedgy banks, 

 where it can force its long, sensitive bill into the soft turf. 

 Besides the worms taken in this way, it also catches many 

 grasshoppers and other insects found upon the surface. 

 Eight out of eleven stomachs opened by Professor Aughey 

 contained from thirty-eight to sixty locusts each, besides other 

 insects. The toothsomeness of the snipe is equal to that of 

 the woodcock, though its size is somewhat less. 



The GRAY SNIPE, or DOWITCHER, is similar to the last, except 

 that it is chiefly confined to the coast and consequently 

 destroys few noxious insects, though it is quite as much a 

 favorite with the gunner. 



The MARBLED GODWIT is one of the largest of the shore- 

 birds ; it is known on the Atlantic coast only in the South, 

 but is widely diffused in the temperate regions of the interior. 

 During the breeding season it is often found on the prairies 

 some distance from water. Its diet is purely insectivorous. 

 Richardson tells us that on Saskatchewan plains it frequents 

 marshes and bogs, walking on the swamp .moss, and thrusting 

 down its long bill to the nostrils in quest of worms and 

 beeches. 



The HUDSONIAN GODWIT is somewhat smaller than the last, 

 and, though more widely distributed, is far less common. 



The WILLET occurs as a summer resident throughout the 

 country, though more commonly coastwise. It is a large, 

 noisy species, not different in its food habits from shore-birds 

 in general. It follows marshes, often annoying hunters by its 



