Shore-bird Shooting 333 



and constructing it of the same material. If dis- 

 turbed on their nesting-grounds, the birds exhibit 

 the greatest concern, feigning wounded and en- 

 deavoring to distract the attention of the intruder, 

 or circling about on graceful wing, and uttering a 

 peculiar sharp cry as they plunge through the air 

 almost at him. The little chicks take readily to 

 the water and are as much at home as ducklings, 

 swimming and diving if occasion require. 



On the Atlantic Coast the bird is rare, and 

 more so now than formerly. Instances of its 

 capture are recorded from Florida to the Bay of 

 Fundy, where one was taken at Point Lepreaux. 

 In New Jersey they were formerly taken, and a 

 few even bred near Egg Harbor. Giraud speaks 

 of its occasional occurrence on Long Island. In 

 New England there are but few instances of its 

 capture. Dr. Merriam speaks of a specimen 

 taken near Saybrook from an old seine laid out 

 to dry. Among other New England records are : 

 Cape Elizabeth, Maine, November 5, 1878, and 

 Natick, Massachusetts. 



This bird is known as blue stocking and white 

 snipe. The flesh is of a bluish color and hardly 

 palatable. 



BLACK-NECKED STILT 

 (Himantopus mexicanus) 

 Adult male in breeding plumage — Forehead, a spot behind the eye, 

 lores, entire under parts, rump, and upper tail-coverts, white ; 

 rest of the head, neck posteriorly, back, scapulars, and wings, 



