112 



SNIPE— PHALAROPE- SANDPIPER. 



Red-breasted Snipe, Gray Snipe, OTVjbzok.~-(Macrorhamphusgriseus^ 



Fig. 7. 



This species is an inhabitant of the whole of North America. It 

 is migratorjr, and winters in the south. 



Coues says: "On the sand-bars, muddy flats, and marshy 

 meadows of the North Carolina coast, I found the Graybacks 

 very common, in flocks, all through the fall, associated with God- 

 wits, Telltales, and various Sandpipers. But nowhere have I seen 

 them so abundant as in Dakota during the fall passage — every- 

 where on the ponds, and especially in the saline pools of the alkali 

 region along the Upper Missouri. There the birds were loitering 

 in great flocks, wading in water so loaded with alkali that it looked 

 sea-green and blew ofT a white cloud with the slightest breeze, 

 while the edges for several yards all around were snow-white with 

 solid efflorescence. Gazing only at the pool, one would fancy him- 

 self on an ice-bound Arctic region, while the surrounding country 

 was desolate to match. Around such pools, the water of which 

 was utterly undrinkable for man or beast, were numerous Ducks 

 and waders, especially Teal, Plover, and these Snipe, swimming, 

 wading, or dozing in troops on the banks in the yellow light of au- 

 tumn, all in excellent order for the table. They were loaded with 

 fat, though it seemed incredible that they could thrive in such bit- 

 terly nauseating and purgative waters. 



"The Red-breasted Snipe is a gentle and unsuspicious creature 

 by nature, most sociably disposed to its own kind, as well as to- 

 ward its relatives among the Ducks and waders. In the western 

 regions, where they are not often molested, no birds are more con- 

 fiding, though none more timid. They gather in such close flocks, 

 moreover, that the most cruel slaughter may be effected with ease 

 by one intent only on filling his bag. As we approach a pool we 

 see numbers of the gentle birds wandering along the margin, or 

 wading up to the belly in the shallow parts, probing here and there 

 as they advance, sticking the bill perpendicularly into the mud to 

 its full length with a quick, dexterous movement, and sometimes 

 even submerging the whole head for a second or two. All the 

 while they chat with each other in a low, pleasing tone, entirely 

 oblivious of our dangerous proximity. With the explosion that too 

 often happens, the next moment some stretch dead or dying along 

 the strand, others limp or flutter with broken legs or wings, while 

 the survivors, with a startled weet, take wing. Not, however, to 

 fly to a place of safety ; in a compact body they skim away, then 

 circle back, approaching again the fatal spot with a low, wayward, 

 gliding motion, and often re-alight in the midst of their dead or 

 disabled companions. No birds fly more compactly, or group to- 

 gether more closely in alighting; it seems as if the timid creatures, 

 aware of their defenseless condition, sought safety, or at least re- 

 assurance, in each other's company. Thus it happens that a whole 

 flock may be secured by successive discharges, if the gunner will 

 seize the times when they stand motionless, in mute alarm, closely 

 huddled together. In a little while, however, if no new appearance 

 disturbs them, they cast off fear and move about separately, resum- 

 ing their busy probing for the various water-bugs, leeches, worms, 

 and soft molluscs, which form their food, as well as the seeds of 

 various aquatic plants. When in good order, they are excellent 

 eating. 



" Being partly web-footed, this Snipe swims tolerably well for 

 a little distance in an emergency, as when it may get for a moment 

 beyond its depth in wading about, or when it may fall, broken- 

 winged, on the water. On such an occasion as this last, I have 

 seen one swim bravely for twenty or thirty yards, with a curious 

 bobbing motion of the head and corresponding jerking of the tail, 

 to a hiding place in the rank grass across the pool. When 

 thus hidden, they keep perfectly still, and may be picked up 

 without resistance, except a weak flutter, and perhaps a low, plead- 



ing cry for pity on their pain and helplessness. When feeding a. 

 their ease, in consciousness of peace and security, few birds arc 

 of more pleasing appearance. Their movements are graceful and 

 their attitudes often beautifully statuesque." 



Northern Phalarope. — (Lobipes hyperboreus.) 



Fig. a 



The Northern Phalarope resembles the Sandpipers in some re- 

 spects, but differs from them in the comparative shortness of its 

 tail and slenderness of its beak. This species is very numerous 

 upon the extensive lakes and rivers of North x\merica ; their range, 

 however, probably does not extend far south, even during the 

 course of their migrations. In its habits it is essentially aquatic. 

 It swims with the utmost buoyancy and ease, though it is not 

 known to dive even when hard pressed; and, according to Au- 

 dubon, indulges in the remarkable habit of alighting while at sea, 

 even at a distance of one hundred miles from shore, on beds of 

 floating seaweed, over which its lobed feet enable it to run with 

 great lightness and rapidity. Its flight is strong and swift, but 

 when on the ground its movements are inferior in agility to those 

 of the Sandpiper. Insects, worms, and minute mollusca, which 

 it collects by dipping the bill into the water, form its principal 

 means of subsistence. The call is a sharp, clear " tweet, tweet." 

 The nest, which is usually made in a hollow in marshes, or on 

 the islands of fresh-water lakes, is formed principally of grass, 

 and covered with a few bits of hay or moss. The eggs, from one 

 to four in number, have usually a dark olive-colored shell, thickly 

 spotted with black. The male is about seven inches long, and 

 thirteen inches broad. 



Cooper's Sandpiper. — (Tringa cooperi.) 

 Fig. 9. 



This is one of our solitary species, that is usually met with on 

 Long Island. Like all Sandpipers, they principally frequent the 

 northern parts. Marine marshes on the sea-shore, or the borders 

 of lakes and rivers, are the situations they prefer, visiting the tem- 

 perate climates during the winter, and returning to the colder lati- 

 tudes to spend the summer months. Their migrations take place 

 in large parties, which fly by night or early in the morning. Dur- 

 ing the recess of the tide, they may be seen upon the sea-shore, 

 seeking their food from the refuse of the ocean, or quietly and in- 

 tently probing the sands in search of worms and shell-fish, and 

 sometimes retreating rapidly before the advancing surge, and prof- 

 iting by what the wave leaves on its retreat. In all their move- 

 ments they display great activity, either when running rapidly and 

 lightly on the fore-part of their toes over the surface of the moist 

 sand, when swimming in the water, or when winging their way 

 with a varied, graceful, and rapid flight through the air. The 

 voice of this bird is clear piping and resonant. Their food con- 

 sists of worms, small molluscs, insects, larvae, and occasionally of 

 delicate seeds. The four pear-shaped eggs are deposited in a dry 

 hollow on the ground, which is slightly lined with a few blades of 

 grass. The female alone broods ; the young come forth covered 

 with down ; they at once leave the nest, and grow with great 

 rapidity. 



