74 



WADING BIRDS. 



the whole of the inclement season in the swamps of New 

 Jersey, near to Cape May. When discovered in their retreats, 

 they are observed wandering along the marshes and muddy 

 flats near the sea-shore, in quest of reptiles, fish, and marine 

 worms. Occasionally they are seen sailing along from place 

 to place with a heavy, silent flight, elevated but little above 

 the surface of the earth. Ever wary, and stealing from the 

 view of all observers, these gaunt shades of something which 

 constantly avoids the social light impress the mind no less 

 with curiosity than aversion ; and it is surprising that, furtive 

 and inharmonious as owls, they have not excited the prejudice 

 of the superstitious. 



At times they utter a loud, clear, and piercing cry that may 

 be heard to a very considerable distance, and which, being 

 not unaptly compared to the whoop or yell of the savages 

 when rushing to battle, has conferred upon our bird his pecu- 

 liar appellation. Other species of the genus possess also the 

 same sonorous cry. When wounded ^hey attack those who 

 approach them with considerable vigor, so much so as to have 

 been known to dart their sharp and dagger-like bill through 

 the incautious hand held out for their capture. Indeed, 

 according to Dr. Richardson, they have sometimes driven the 

 fowler fairly out of the field. 



In the winter season, dispersed from their native haunts in 

 quest of subsistence, they are often seen prowling in the low 

 grounds and rice-fields of the Southern States in quest of 

 insects, grain, and reptiles ; they swallow also mice, moles, 

 rats, and frogs with great avidity, and may therefore be looked 

 upon at least as very useful scavengers. They are also at 

 times killed as game, their flesh being well flavored, as they 

 do not subsist so much upon fish as many other birds of this 

 family. It is with difficulty, however, that they can be 

 approached or shot, as they are so remarkably shy and vigilant. 

 They build their nests on the ground, after the manner of the 

 common Crane of Europe, selecting a tussock of long grass in 

 some secluded and solitary swamp, raising its sides to suit 

 their convenience so as to sit upon it with extended legs. The 



