THE SNIPE. 163 



gunners, stealthily paddled down upon them till within 

 close shooting distances, these birds are termed "Plo- 

 vers," and the pursuit of them plover-shooting ; of course 

 wrongfully. 



The last of this family is the Semipalmated Tattler, 

 Tetanus Semipalmati^^ universally known as the " "Wil- 

 let," from its harsh and shrill cry, constantly repeated 

 during the breeding season, the last note of which is 

 thought to bear some resemblance to that sound. It is a 

 swift, rapid and easy flyer, and though rather shy when 

 in exposed situations, can be 'allured to the decoys. 

 "When in good order the flesh of the "Willet is very pal- 

 atable, although not so greatly esteemed as its eggs, 

 which really are delicious. 



!N"ext to these come the Godwits, two in number, 

 known by the unmeaning title of Marlin. 



The great Marbled Godwit, Limosa Fedoa, the " Mar- 

 lin." This bird, though not very abundant, is a regular 

 visitant of the seashores and bays in the spring and au- 

 tumn. It is very watchful, and will permit of no near 

 approach, unless some of its fellows are killed or wound- 

 ed, when it will hover over the cripple, with loud, shrill 

 cries, affording an easy opportunity of getting several 

 barrels in succession into the flock. 



And the Hudsonian Godwit, Limosa Hudsonica, or 

 the "King-tailed Marlin," is a still rarer and smaller 

 variety than the last, of very similar habits and of equal 

 excellence in flesh. It is far more common in the Mid- 



