166 AMERICAN GAME. 



it retires to the bog meadows, where it is seen probing 

 the soft ground for worms. In the spring it remains 

 with us but a short time. Soon after recruiting it obeys 

 the unerring call of nature, and steers for the north, 

 where it passes the season of reproduction. About the 

 middle of July it returns with its young, and continues 

 its visit during September, and if the season be open, 

 lingers about its favorite feeding grounds until the last 

 of the month." 



The specimens from which the above sketch is taken, 

 were procured on the Delaware so late as the latter part 

 of May ; but it must be remembered that this spring, 

 1850, was unusually late and backward. 



This snipe associates in large flocks, is very easily 

 whistled, flies in dense and compact bodies over the de- 

 coys, and is so gentle that, after half the flock has been 

 cut down by the volleys of the lurking gunner, the re- 

 mainde"r will frequently alight, and walk about demurely 

 among their dead companions and the illusive decoys, 

 until the pieces are reloaded, and the survivors deci- 

 mated by a fresh discharge. 



Even when feeding on the open mud-flats, the Red- 

 breasted Snipe is so tame as to allow itself to be ap- 

 proached by the sportsman, with little or no address, run- 

 ning about and feeding perfectly unsuspicious, until its 

 enemy has come within short range, when it springs 

 with its tremulous cry only to be riddled with the shot 

 of the close discharge. 



