256 LEWIS'S AMERICAN SPORTSMAN. 



RED-BREASTED SNIPE. SCOLOPAX NOVEBORACENSIS. 

 HABITS, NOMENCLATURE, ETC. 



THIS snipe resembles very much in size and plumage the com- 

 mon snipe, more particularly when in its winter plumage; it is, 

 however, altogether different in its habits, as well as in the flavor 

 of its flesh. The English or Wilson snipe frequents fresh-water 

 marshes only, while the present species confines itself almost 

 exclusively to the salt marshes of our Atlantic States. The Eng- 

 lish snipe is mostly a solitary bird, while the red-breasted snipes 

 congregate in immense flocks upon the mud-flats and sand-bars. 

 This snipe, we believe, is known to our coast-shooters as the brown 

 back, or dowitcher, and we have at times found it more palatable 

 than any other kinds of sea-bird, although considerably smaller 

 than the curlew, willet, or plover. Being so much smaller than these 

 birds, this snipe is not so much sought after as some others; we, 

 however, never let an opportunity pass to bring them to bag, 

 when on these excursions, oftentimes in preference to the other 

 birds, which are always far more sedgy, and not unfrequently 

 fishy besides. 



The red-breasted, or, as they are also called, the quail snipes, 

 arrive on the coast of Jersey from the South on their way to their 

 breeding-grounds farther north, about the first week in May, re- 

 main a short time, and then stretch off for the Canadas. Towards 

 the middle of July they commence returning in increased numbers, 

 and remain feeding on the marshes till the commencement of the 

 cold weather, when they take themselves to the South. These 

 snipes fly in large flocks, and feed in thick masses upon the points, 

 and will often allow a boat to approach sufficiently near to give 

 them a raking s^pt fore and aft, that not unfrequently spreads 

 death and destruction through the greater portion of their affrighted 

 ranks. We were present on one occasion when twenty-three of 



