CHAPTER XVIII. 



WADING BIRDS. 



THERE is no portion of the world with which I am ac- 

 quainted where this family is so largely represented as in 

 America, both in numbers and varieties of species. Along 

 the Atlantic sea-board of the United States, both in spring 

 and autumn they abound ; the interior and coast of New- 

 foundland and Labrador, their principal breeding-grounds, 

 fairly swarm with them, while the prairies at the breaking 

 up of winter, especially on such portions as have been flood- 

 ed or the grass lately burned off, are populated with differ- 

 ent species in such phalanxes as almost to cause the surface 

 of the soil to appear moving as they rush about in search of 

 the various insects that form their principal food. 



On the coast they afford abundant amusement to those 

 partial to this description of shooting, for they are easily 

 induced to alight among decoys placed within range of 

 screens or blinds, behind which the gunners are secreted ; 

 and so great is the slaughter sometimes made among the 

 unsuspicious hordes, that but that they form a delicious 

 article of food, and are eagerly sought for in the markets 

 by all classes of people, it would be deemed a most culpa- 

 ble amusement. 



For this family I confess to have a great love ; for they 

 are always graceful in form and beautiful in plumage, buoy- 

 ant in flight, and active and untiring on the ground. Then 

 their movements appear to be guided entirely by impulse, 

 while many of the species evince a love for their compan- 

 ions so powerful that, sooner than forsake their dead and 



