li 



FRANK FORESTER S FIELD SPOKTS. 



upper parts are ash-gray, variegated with black and pale yel- 

 lowish-red; lower paits, including the throat and fore-neck, 

 brownish-orange. In autumn, the upper parts are ash-gray, 

 margined with dull white ; rump, and upper tail coverts, barred 

 with black and white ; lower parts white ; the sides of the body 

 marked with dusky ; a dull white line over the eye. Adult in 

 spring — bill black ; a broad band of reddish brown commences 

 at the base of the upper mandible, extends half way to the eye, 

 where it changes to reddish-brown ; upper part of head and 

 the hind neck dusky, the feathers margined with greyish-white ; 

 a few touches of pale reddish-brown on the latter; throat, fore- 

 neck, breast, and abdomen, reddish-brown ; vent white ; lower 

 tail coverts white, spotted with dusky; upper plumage blackish- 

 brown ; upper tail coverts baiTed with black and white ; tail 

 pale brown, margined with white ; primary coverts black, tipped 

 with white ; secondary coverts grayish-brown, margined with 

 white. Young, with the upper parts grayish- brown, the feathers 

 with central dusky streaks, a narrow line of cinnamon color 

 toward their margins, which are dull white ; the lower parts 

 ash-gray. Length of adult, ten inches, wing six and three- 

 quarters. 



" This species is familiar to our gunners by the name of Robin 

 Snipe. In the great South Bay, Long Island, whei-e those im- 

 mense salt marshes are separated by creeks and channels, a 

 number of beautiful islands appear, differing in size and form, 

 each having an appropriate name ; they form quite an interest- 

 ing feature in the geography of the island ; there tlie Red- 

 breasted Sandpiper, during its short stay in the spring, takes up 

 its abode. Shortly after daylight, it commences its daily labor 

 in search of food, visiting the shoal ponds that abound with small 

 shell-fish, on which they chiefly subsist. The wily gunner, eager 

 to profit by the ready sale of this superior bird, makes early 

 preparation to receive them ; lying concealed near their favo- 

 rite haunts, by imitating their peculiar note, he thins their ranks 

 by bringing them within reach of his well-directed gun. 



" At the period for migrating, this species assemble in flocks, 



