( 266 ) 



become apprehensive, neglect their occupation, take wing and wheel 

 off, leaving the Red-breasted Snipe alone with the gunner. The 

 friendly "Tern," from its elevated and secure retreat, observes what 

 is passing below, flies around in circles, uttering loud screams, urg- 

 ing the loiterers to depart, which kindly warning is unheeded un- 

 til the sportsman has arrived too near for the game to escape. As 

 he levels his gun, the terrified Snipe becomes aroused, springs up, 

 and the next instant lies like a clod upon the muddy shore. 



The Red-breasted Snipe is capable of rapid and protracted flight, 

 at times performed to a great elevation. During dry seasons, when 

 in search of its favorite pools, it flies high, and at such times is not 

 so readily decoyed. At Egg Harbor, where it is abundant, it is 

 called by the gunners " Brown-back." 



GENUS MICROPTERA — NUTTALL. 



BOGSUCKER. 



[Bill twice the length of head — straight, tapering, deeper than broad at base- 

 slightly depressed toward the end ; upper mandible with a narrow groove on 

 the sides, extending to near the tip, which is blunt, and longer than the lower ; 

 head rather large, oblong ; eyes large, placed high ; neck short ; body full : 

 wings short, rounded ; tail very shor', of twelve feathers ; tarsi shorter than the 

 middle iocs ] 



MICROPTERA AMERICANA— AUDUBON. 



AMERICAN WOODCOCK. 



Woodcock, Scolopax minor, Wils. Amer. Orn. 



Scolopax minor, Bonap. Syn. 



Lesser Wuodcock, Nutt. Man. 



American Woodcock, Scolopax minor, Aud. Orn. Biog. 



Specific Character — Upper parts variegated with brownish-black, 



light yellowisli-red and ash gray ; lower parts light yellowish-red. 



Adult male with the bill and feet flesh color — the former black 



toward the end, with the upper mandible extending beyond the 



lower; forehead gray, tinged with pale reddish-ycllow; a short 



black line from the ridge of the upper mandible; a deeurved black 



band from the nostrils to the eye ; a line behind the eye, and a 



similar band crossing the cheeks ; upper part of the head and occi. 



