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plentiful with us as it is on the sea coast of New Jersey, although at 

 some seasons I have found it very abundant on the salt marshes 

 along the south shore of Long Island, at which place it arrives at 

 the latter end of April, or about the first of May, and remains until 

 the latter part of September — a few continuing until the early par t 

 of October. It is almost entirely confined to the low, wet marshes, 

 seeking retirement among the rank grass and reeds. 



It is seldom seen flying about, and when pursued, depends on 

 running, which it performs at a rapid rate ; and being assisted by 

 the thin, compressed form of its body, passes through the grass so 

 quickly, that unless its pursuer is very expert, it is soon out of danger. 



In the latter part of May, it commences building its nest, which 

 is placed on the meadow, and usually built so high, in order to pre- 

 vent it from being overflowed, that it is readily discovered by those 

 persons who are in the habit of collecting the eggs, which are ex- 

 ceedingly delicate eating. The number generally found in the 

 nest, is ten — of a pale clay color, finely dotted with purple. 



We frequently see it making short excursions among the neigh-- 

 boring " kussicks." Should it become alarmed while thus engaged in 

 its aquatic amusement, it instantly disappears by diving. If near 

 the bank, it skulks among the grass. If too far from the shore to 

 reach it by swimming under water, it sometimes clings to the roots 

 of the grass, and in this situation will remain for a considerable 

 time. Its choice of residence being the wet and miry meadows, it 

 is not often pursued by sportsmen, excepting when the meadows are 

 overflown by the unusual high tides which occur after the wind has 

 been blowing heavily from the south-east. The gunners take ad- 

 vantage of these occasions, and put it up by pushing their skiffs 

 over the then sunken meadows. The poor Meadow Hens, having 

 no place of retreat, collect on the drifting grass and sea-weed. Be- 

 coming bewildered with the scene, and not knowing whither to go, 

 it suffers the boat to approach within a few yards. Those that es- 

 cape move on to another mass of drift grass, and are marked down 

 by the gunner, who in a few minutes repeats his fire. Its flight is 

 rather slow. Moving off in a straight line, and having nothing to 



obstruct the sight, it presents an easy mark, and is readily killed. 



The sportsman, after pursuing it for a few hours, becomes w r earied 



