120 TELL-TALE GODWIT, OR SNIPE. 



mage from the male; sometimes the vent is slightly dotted with 

 black, and the upper parts more brown. 



Nature seems to have intended this bird as a kind of spy, or 

 centinel, for the safety of the rest; and so well acquainted are 

 they with the watchful vigilance of this species, that, while it 

 continues silent among them, the Ducks feed in the bogs and 

 marshes without the least suspicion. The great object of the 

 gunner is to escape the penetrating glance of this guardian, 

 which is sometimes extremely difficult to effect. On the first 

 whistle of the Tell-tale, if beyond gunshot, the gunner aban- 

 dons his design, but not without first bestowing a few left-hand- 

 ed blessings on the author of his disappointment. 



