CHAPTER XVII. 



WADING BIRDS. 



THERE is no portion of the world with which I am 

 acquainted where this family is so largely represented 

 as in America, hoth in numbers and varieties of species. 

 Along the Atlantic seaboard of the United States, both 

 in spring and autumn they abound; the interior and 

 coast of Newfoundland and Labrador, their principal 

 breeding grounds, fairly swarm with them, while the 

 prairies, at the breaking up of winter, especially on 

 such portions as have been flooded or the grass lately 

 burnt off, are populated with different species in such 

 phalanxes as almost to cause the surface of the soil to 

 appear moving as they rush about in search of the 

 various insects that form their principal food. 



On the coast they aiford abundant amusement to 

 those partial to this description of shooting, for they are 

 easily induced to alight among decoys placed within 

 range of screens or blinds, behind which the gunners 

 are secreted, and so great is the slaughter sometimes 

 made among the unsuspicious hordes, that but that 

 they form a delicious article of food, and are eagerly 

 sought for in the markets by all classes of people, it 

 would be deemed a most culpable amusement. 



For this family I confess to have a great love, for 

 they are always graceful in form and beautiful in 



