BAT-BIRDS. 155 



was often able to approach without detection ; 

 when near enough, or if the bird became alarmed, 

 he cast off his false skin and used his fowling-piece. 

 This was certainly an original and successful mode of 

 modifying an idea derived from the times of ancient 

 Troy. 



'This bird is so delicious and so highly prized by 

 the epicure, that no pains are spared in its capture ; 

 it is by many superior judges regarded as the rich- 

 est and most delicately flavored of the birds of 

 America ; while its timid and wary disposition ren- 

 ders it the most difficult to kill. It is, therefore, 

 justly esteemed the richest prize of the sportsman 

 and the gourmand, and holds as high a rank in the 

 field as in the market. 



It is not, jjroperly speaking, a bay-bird ; but as it 

 is frequently shot from the stand when passing near 

 the decoys, these few remarks concerning it are in- 

 serted. It is essentially an upland bird, although 

 from the nature of its migration it passes along the 

 coast and occasionally far out at sea. 



" Specific Character. — Bill slender, rather longer 

 than the head ; tarsi one inch and seven-eighths ; 

 neck rather long, slender ; axillars distinctly baiTed 

 with black and greyish-white ; upper parts dark 

 brown, margined with yellowish-brown; fore-neck 

 and fore part of the breast with arrow-shaped mark- 

 ings ; rest of the lower parts yellowish - white. 

 Adult with the bill slender, yellowish-green, dusky 

 at the tip ; upper part of the head dark brown, with 

 a central yellowish-brown line, the feathers mar- 



