114 THE JERSEY COAST. 



south early in March ; now they hardly come till 

 June ; so, the ducks come later and stay later. The 

 springs are colder, and the autumns warmer, than 

 when I was young, and the bay-snipe appear in 

 September instead of August, as it once was." 



"As to the English snipe you are undoubtedly 

 correct, but this is due probably to their increasing 

 scarcity ; and although we have no spring, and the 

 summer extends frequently into September, this ap- 

 pears to result from the changes in climate effected 

 by clearing the woods. As the forests are cut down, 

 the cold winds of spring, and the burning suns of 

 summer, produce a greater effect, and each in its 

 turn lasts longer. Altogether, however, our seasons 

 seem to be moderating." 



At this interesting point in our discussion, some 

 one discovered by the aid of a telescope that a flock 

 of willet had settled on the sand-bank among the 

 stools. The announcement was followed by a gene- 

 ral seizure of weapons and rush for the blinds. My 

 friend and myself hastened to the little boat, used in 

 floating quietly down upon ducks, and called a 

 " sneak box," and embarking, glided silently to- 

 wards our stand. The tide had left bare a long 

 bank of sand, upon which was collected a glorious 

 flock, or, more properly speaking, two flocks united, 

 one of marlin and the other of willet. 



All unconscious of approaching danger, the pretty 

 creatures were busily engaged, some in feeding, 

 others in washing — dipping under and throwing the 

 water over their graceful bodies — others in running 



