Shore-bird Shooting 313 



replies. The flock rise high and circle about the 

 marsh. Continually to their cries comes the an- 

 swer- from the spot they left. The birds hesitate 

 and finally turn, heading back for the little pool. 

 Once within range a single bird drops, the mark is 

 easy, and before the frightened flock recover they 

 leave a second. In the early morning hours rest- 

 less, uneasy birds, looking for a place to light and 

 companions, often betray their presence long be- 

 fore they come in sight. A single yellowleg is 

 usually susceptible, and sometimes when shot at 

 offers himself a second time. In case a wounded 

 bird utters distressed cries, near-by relatives are 

 very liable to respond, for like many of our waders 

 they love their own. If a large flock is disturbed 

 from some feeding-place, the birds after a time 

 may return in small numbers, and this offers a 

 rare opportunity. 



Next to the yellowleg perhaps the "krieker" 

 is most commonly met with on the marshes. 

 Krieker is a popular name for the pectoral sand- 

 piper; the bird is also called jack-snipe and grass- 

 snipe. They are generally found in small flocks 

 and often separate over a small patch of grass, 

 jumping up singly or in twos and threes. If in 

 the right cover, these birds not infrequently allow 

 a close approach and rise something after the 

 manner of a snipe. Late in the fall we find them 

 occasionally in very large flocks. 



