300 LEWIS'S AMEKICAN SPORTSMAN. 



every frequenter of the salt marshes throughout the States ot 

 New York, New Jersey, and Delaware ; and this familiarity with 

 the peculiar call of this wary bird is turned to terrible account 

 against them, as they are easily deceived and decoyed within reach 

 of the treacherous gun by the skilful imitations of the shooters. 



The willet is not known in England, nor is there any bird in 

 the country with which it may be said to correspond. Temmick, 

 however, notices it as an accidental straggler among the birds of 

 Europe. Willets come from the South about the middle of April, 

 and soon make preparations for laying; their nests are built in 

 the marshes, upon the tussocks and other little eminences of earth 

 and herbage that are scattered about in the dryer places. The 

 nest generally contains four tapering dark-colored eggs, which, like 

 those of the mud-hen, are said to be good eating ; in fact, we 

 know them to be very excellent, as we have partaken of them, 

 although we did not assist in the destruction of the nests from 

 which they were filched. This bird, with most others that build on 

 the marshes, suffers greatly during the period of incubation from 

 the attacks of crows, weasels and foxes, and other animals, which 

 devour numberless eggs as well as young willets. 



These fowls feed on small shell-fish and the innumerable variety 

 of aquatic insects and worms found on the marshes ; the flesh 

 consequently is sedgy, though not fishy. Young willets are 

 juicy and tender, and perhaps more esteemed than any other of 

 the shore-birds ; and, when cooked properly, are quite passable 

 when no other kind of game is to be had ; in fact, we have heard 

 many of our sporting friends really extol these birds when served 

 up, and hunt as eagerly after them as if they possessed the deli- 

 cacy and game-flavor of the woodcock. 



Willets remain with us till October and November, and some- 

 times later, if the weather continues agreeable. They are shot 

 during low tide, on the marshes and flats, and when flying are 

 easily decoyed by imitating their whistle, which is thought to 

 resemble the following combinations: Pill-will-willet, pill-will- 

 willet. 



