96 DIVISION I. VERTEBRAL ANIMALS.—CLASS II. AVES. 
“The snipe, when first flushed, rapidly doubles and twists in a quick, zig- 
zag flight, which it continues for several rods, when it takes a more direct 
course, almost always against the wind. The sportsman, knowing the habit 
of the bird, reserves his fire until it has stopped twisting, when his aim is 
generally successful. Sometimes two birds arise at the same time, when it 
requires considerable coolness and experience to secure both. I once got 
three double shots in succession, securing all six birds; but such an occur- 
rence and good luck are rare; and we must be satisfied, in most shooting, to 
get but single birds. 
“The snipe, like the woodeock, probes in the soft earth for worms and 
animalcule, which it feeds upon; it also eats the larvyie of water insects, 
and leeches, and occasionally captures grasshoppers and other insects in the 
wet grass in which it almost constantly resides. It is very difficult of ap- 
proach in cloudy and windy weather; but in warm, bright days in the fall, 
it is quiet, and lies until approached quite near. It remains with us until 
the ground is frozen in the meadows, when it moves to the Southern States, 
where it passes the winter.” 
Famity Torantip®. Ture Lonasnangs. 
The characteristics of the typical genus Totanus will serve for this family. 
These migratory birds are seattered in both hemispheres, especially in the 
temperate and northern portions. They are usually seen in pairs, or in 
small flocks, on the banks of the lakes and rivers, and sometimes on the 
shores of the ocean; but at certain seasons they resort to the moist woods 
and marshes for the purpose of rearing their young. Their food is sought 
for on the ground, or among the gravel and stones on these shores: it con- 
sists of insects, worms, and small molluscous animals, and fish. The nest - 
is usually formed ina tuft of grass, or in a slight depression in the earth, 
which is lined with dry grass and other vegetable matter. The female usu- 
ally deposits four eggs, and if disturbed while incubating, generally flies 
around the intruder, uttering, at the same time, a series of shrill notes. 
Famity Grouiwe. THe Cranes. 
These large birds are usually found on extensive plains, open ground 
under cultivation, marshes, or the muddy flats of the sea-shore. They reg- 
ularly migrate to the warmer parts of the world during autumn and winter, 
but in summer they retire to northern localities to breed. Their flights are 
performed during the night in large flocks, generally headed by a leader, who 
is followed by the remainder in two diverging lines, flying at a great eleva- 
tion, and uttering, during stormy weather, loud cries, which may be dis- 
tinctly heard, though the birds are invisible. They find difficulty in rising 
Ee 
