BAY SNIPE. 17 



" This common species, well known throughout the Union, ar- 

 rives on the shores of New Jersey and Long Island in the early 

 part of May. It associates in flocks, and frequents the muddy 

 flats that are left bare at the recess of the tide. At high water, 

 it resorts to the ponds on the beaches and meadows, where it 

 gleans its food, consisting of small shell-fish, worms, and insects. 

 It is sometimes observed wading into the shallow water, in pur- 

 suit of small fishes. 



" Gregarious in its habits, it is continually calling for others 

 to unite with it, when its shrill cry informs the gunner of its ap- 

 proach. It obeys the decoys, answers the fowler's whistle, and 

 if the sportsman is well concealed, sets its wings, and glides 

 smoothly up to the decoys, gradually lowering its long legs — 

 which, when flying, appear conspicuous beyond the tail feathers 

 — and gently alights on the soft mud, or in the shallow water. 

 It is more timid than the Red-breasted Snipe ; but like that 

 species, when invited by the gunner's whistle, it is not unusual 

 for it to return, and receive the second fire. 



" The voice of the Yellow-shanks is shrill, and consists of 

 three or more notes. When wounded in the wing, it runs fast, 

 and hides among the grass, frequently so well concealing itself 

 as to avoid detection. Its manners and customs are well known 

 to our gunners, and it is met with by sportsmen on many 

 streams in the interior. Although its flesh is not superior, it 

 meets with ready sale in the New York markets, and large 

 numbers are shot to supply the demand. 



"A noted gunner residing in the vicinity of Bellport, informed 

 me that he killed one hundred and six Yellow-shanks, by dis- 

 charging both barrels of his gun into a flock while they were 

 sitting along the beach. This is a higher number than I should 

 have hit upon, had I been asked to venture an opinion on the 

 result of a very unusually successful shot. Still, it is entitled to 

 credit. Wilson speaks of eighty-five Red-breasted Snipe 

 having been shot at one discharge of a musket. Mr. Audubon 

 mentions that he was present when one hundred and twenty- 

 seven were killed by discharging three barrels. Mr. Brasher, 

 2 



