248 PEAIEIE AND FOEEST. 



unsuspicious hordes, that but that they form a delicious 

 article of food, and are eagerly sought for in the markets by 

 all classes of people, it would be deemed a most culpable 

 amusement. 



For this family I confess to have a great love, for they 

 are always graceful in form and beautiful in plumage, 

 buoyant in flight, active, and untiring on the ground. 

 Then their movements appear to be guided entirely by 

 impulse, while many of the species evince a love for their 

 companions so powerful that, sooner than forsake their 

 dead and wounded comrades, they will remain hovering 

 over the spot where they have fallen, till the irresistible 

 shot has decimated in the most wholesale manner their 

 well-organized ranks. 



Cobb's Island, near the entrance to Chesapeake Bay, is 

 one of their most favoured haunts ; in fact, all the islands 

 and beaches along the coast of New Jersey were little less 

 frequented, but, from being easier of access to the dwellers 

 in the neighbouring large cities, the birds of late years 

 have betaken themselves to the less-frequented resting- 

 place. However, they are soon threatened with expulsion 

 from Cobb's Island, for an hotel, for the accommodation 

 of sportsmen, has been built upon its sterile shores, and 

 the Atlantic breakers that guard its surf-beaten coast listen, 

 with murmuring dissatisfaction, to the constant repeated 

 echoes of the report of fire arms, which are decimating the 

 graceful beauties that in years gone by were permitted 

 in peace to glide over the bosom of old Father 

 Ocean. 



Strictly migratory, what an enjoyable life they must lead 



