Scott on Birds observed in Florida. 1 9 



The Red-breasted Snipe (Macrorhamphus griseus) was a 

 common bird during my stay on the Gulf Coast and was also met 

 with at Panasofkee Lake, though not commonly. At this latter 

 place most of the individuals obtained were the variety scolopa- 

 ceiiSy but on the Gulf the commoner form (variety griseus) ob- 

 tained, almost to the exclusion of the other. A curious habit of 

 this species was noted at the mouth of the Withlacoochee. where 

 I saw the birds alight in very deep water and swim about for con- 

 siderable time. This occurred in every instance after a flock had 

 been fired at. and I thought at first that the birds had been 

 wounded, but after observing the occurrence a number of times 

 and on watching the birds while in the water I concluded that 

 such was not the case. Those I noted were generallv solitary 

 individuals, but twice I saw three and once four alight in the 

 water, swim lightly and gracefullv about, and when disturbed rise 

 easilv and flv away. These observations were all made at one 

 point. This was an oyster reef at some distance from any other 

 land. At low tide it was bare and would become covered at this 

 time with hosts of Grallce. A single point remained half-sub- 

 merged at high water and this was covered with this Species and 

 Strepsilas interpres. The area thus crowded by birds was 

 but a few square yards and the birds on it at high water were 

 generally asleep, as was plainly to be seen with a field glass. I 

 think the birds simply alighted in the water to wait till such a 

 time as the disturbing element would allow of their returning to 

 this favorite resting point. 



The Great Marbled God wit {Liniosa fedod) and the Long- 

 billed Curlew {Numenius longirostris) were common on the 

 Gulf Coast at both points visited, and I was told by trustworthy 

 hunters that both species remained the year round, though very 

 much more abundant in winter. Other species of Numenius I 

 did not meet with. It seems hardly necessary to record the 

 abundance of the Willet ( Tola n us semipalmatus) , which was 

 very common and conspicuous on the Gulf Coast, assumed its 

 full plumage late in February, and was not found breeding till 

 April. These later observations were made at Clearwater. 

 The Red-breasted Sandpiper ( Tringa canutus) was common at 

 Clearwater in Februarv. as was also the Dunlin ( Tringa alpi)ia 

 americaua). A single record of Tringa bonapartll was made 

 at Clearwater in Februarv. 



