LONG-BILLED CUELEW, OR SICKLE-BILL. 293 



The long-billed curlew requires a very hard rap to bring him 

 down, and will often carry off several large pellets with him. They 

 usually fly very high and with great velocity, and, when in com- 

 panies, adopt the wedge form, like ducks. 



These birds are pursued upon our coast like other sea-fowls, 

 either in boats or by tramping over the marshes. A pit dug in 

 the marsh adjoining some favorite feeding-ground or point is an 

 excellent plan to shoot all kinds of bay-fowl. 



Another variety of curlew, known as the doe-bird, is often shot 

 by the bay-shooters ; it is smaller than either of the two preceding 

 varieties. It is also termed the jack-curlew. Its habits are the 

 same, and it associates with the other two species. 



