112 BRITISH BIRDS. 



THEY are a timid, shy, and solitary tribe; their 

 mode of subsistence constrains them to spend 

 their lives amidst the fens, salt marshes, and 

 deep muddy places near the mouths of rivers. 

 They seldom remain above a day or two in the 

 same place ; often removing suddenly in a flock 

 by night; and when there is moonlight, they may 

 be seen and heard passing at a vast height. Their 

 bills are long and slender, more or less bent up- 

 wards, smooth and blunt at the tip: their legs are 

 long, and naked far above the knee. When pur- 

 sued, they run with great speed, spring at a great 

 distance, and scream as they rise. Their voice 

 has been compared to the smothered bleating of 

 a goat. Their food consists of worms, and larvae; 

 and their flesh is delicate and excellent. The 

 moult, which occurs twice a year, changes almost 

 entirely the colour of the plumage; one remark- 

 able circumstance attending it is, that the females 

 moult more slowly than the males ; often when 

 the latter have assumed the garb of the season, 

 the females may be seen in the livery, either 

 complete or partial, of the past season. The 

 females are distinguished by their colours being 

 less lively and distinct, and their size being 

 greater than that of the male. The young differ 

 little from the old birds in winter. 



