(251 ) 



This common species, well known throughout the Union, ar- 

 rives on the shores of New Jersey and Long Island in the early- 

 part of May. It associates in flocks, and frequents the muddy flats 

 that are left bare at the recess of the tide. At high water, it resorts 

 to the pond? on the beaches and meadows, where it gleans its food, 

 consisting of small shell-fish, worms, and insects. It is sometimes 

 observed wading into the shallow water, in pursuit of small fishes. 



Gregarious in its habits, it is continually calling for others to 

 unite with it, when its shrill cry informs the gunner of its ap- 

 proach. It obeys the decoys, answers the fowler's whistle, and if 

 th.3 sportsman is well concealed, sets its wings, and glides smoothly 

 up to the decoys, gradually lowering its long legs — which, when 

 flying, appear conspicuous beyond the tail feathers — and gently 

 alights on the soft mud, or in the shallow water. It is more timid 

 than the Red-breasted Snipe; but like that species, when invited by 

 the gunner's whistle, it is not unusual for it to return, and receive 

 the second fire. 



The voice of the Yellow-shanks is shrill, and consists of three or 

 more notes. When wounded in the wing, it runs fast, and hides 

 among the grass, frequently so well concealing itself as to avoid de- 

 tection, lis manners and customs are well known to our gunners, 

 and it is met with by sportsmen on many streams in the interior. — 

 Although its flesh is not superior, it meets with ready sale in the 

 New York markets, and large numbers are shot to supply the de- 

 mand. 



A noted gunner residing in the vicinity of Bellport, informed me 

 that he killed one hundred and six Yellow-shanks, by discharging 

 both barrels of his gun into a flock while they were sitting along 

 the beach. This is a higher number than I should have hit upon, 

 had I been asked to venture an opinion on the result of a very un- 

 usually successful shot. Still, it is entitled to credit. Wilson speaks 

 of eighty-five Red-breasted Snipe having been shot at one discharge 

 of a musket, Mr. Audubon mentions that he was present when 

 one hundred and twenty-seven were killed by discharging three 

 barrels. Mr. Brasher, during the month of May of last year, at 

 Egg Harbor, killed thirty-three Red-breasted Snipe by discharging 



