BAY SNIPE. 21 



lently repeated when defending its eggs or young, as to be au- 

 dible half a mile distant. I have heard the gunners assert that 

 on such occasions they have distinctly heard its vehement vocif- 

 erations at a still greater distance. 



" During the breeding season, if not disturbed, it passes that 

 anxious interval in silence ; but at all other times is noted for 

 its noisy outcry. 



" The flight of the Willet is swift, and performed with ease and 

 grace. In general it inhabits the salt marshes — though when 

 making excursions about the bays and inlets, it at low water 

 alights on the naked shoals ; and is at times seen wading breast 

 deep in the water, pluming and dressing its feathers. It is ex- 

 ceedingly watchful, and when in exposed situations, however 

 cautiously the gunner may approach, it seldom allows him to 

 arrive within shooting distance. 



" The address of the most experienced is seldom equal to its 

 vigilance. The decoys offer a more favorable opportunity to 

 procure it ; but even in this manner it is by no means easily al- 

 lured — ^notwithstanding the gunner is well hidden, and his inge- 

 niously executed counterfeits rendered more deceptive by the 

 perfect imitation he gives of its peculiar cry, which is promptly 

 answered by the advancing Willet, whose keen eye timely de- 

 tecting the deception, it provokes the fowler by quickly chang- 

 ing its course, and darting off like an arrow, usually ascending 

 as it passes on. 



" The Willet seldom associates with others of its tribe, though 

 occasionally stragglers are seen on the muddy shores, feeding 

 in company with the Gulls and Sanderlings. 



" I am not aware that its nest has been observed on Long 

 Island, though it is said to breed in several of the Middle States, 

 and according to Mr. Nuttall, it has been found in the vicinity 

 of New Bedford. When flying, it is rendered very conspicuous 

 by the prominent markings on the wings. It feeds chiefly on 

 worms, aquatic insects, small crabs, and minute shell-fisb 

 When in good condition its flesh is quite palatable, but not 

 esteemed so great a delicacy as its eggs. 



