

SPECIES 4. SCOLOPAX NOVEBORACENSIS. 



I 



RED-BREASTED SNIPE. 



[Plate L VIII. Fig. 1.] 

 Jlrct. Zool. p. 464, JVo. 368. PKALE'S Museum, JVo. 3932.* 



THIS bird has a considerable resemblance to the common 

 Snipe, not only in its general form, size and colours, but like- 

 wise in the excellence of its flesh, which is in high estimation. 

 It differs, however, greatly from the common Snipe in its man- 

 ners, and in many other peculiarities, a few of which, as far as 

 I have myself observed, may be sketched as follows. The 

 Red-breasted Snipe arrives on the seacoast of New Jersey ear- 

 ly in April; is seldom or never seen inland : early in May it pro- 

 ceeds to the north to breed, and returns by the latter part of 

 July, or beginning of August. During its stay here it flies in 

 flocks, sometimes very high, and has then a loud and shrill 

 whistle, making many evolutions over the marshes; forming, 

 dividing, and reuniting. They sometimes settle in such num- 

 bers, and so close together, that eighty-five have been shot at 

 one discharge of a musket. They spring from the marches 

 with a loud twirling whistle, generally rising high, and mak- 

 ing several circuitous manoeuvres in air, before they descend. 

 They frequent the sand-bars, and mud-flats, at low water, in 

 search of food; and being less suspicious of a boat than of a per- 

 son on shore, are easily approached by this medium, and shot 

 down in great numbers. They usually keep by themselves, 

 being very numerous; are in excellent order for the table in 

 September; and on the approach of winter retire to the south. 



\Ve add the following Synonymes: Scolopax noveboracensis, LATH. Ind. Om. 

 p. 723, JVb. 32. S. grisen, id. p. 724. No. 33. Temm. Man. d* Orn. p- 679. GMKL. 

 Syst. p. 658, V0. 27, adult in winter plumage. S. noveborocencis, Id. p 658, JV*c. 

 28, adult in summer plumage. 



