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United States from the north, and soon become generally dispersed. Many still retain traces of 

 the summer texture, in reddish feathers on the underparts, and especially in scattered black and 

 bay plumes on the back ; but these soon fall, and by October the clear grey and white winter 

 dress is perfected. In the spring many or most individuals gain a nearly perfect plumage before 

 they leave us. The vernal migration is performed with much greater celerity than that of the 

 autumn. In the latter season few of our smaller waders are more abundant in suitable resorts, 

 and none are more generally distributed over the country. Thousands proceed along either 

 coast, following the sinuosities of the sea-line, mixing with various allied species on the sand- 

 spits and mud-bars of all the estuaries, while as many more migrate inland along the larger 

 watercourses. In the autumn, particularly, they become extremely fat, and offer the sportsman 

 almost irresistible attractions. 



" But I have myself little fancy for field-sports which do not exercise the skill, vigour, and 

 perseverance of which the true sportsman is justly proud. These birds may become somewhat 

 wary in populous districts where they are much hunted ; but the reverse is the case in the wild, 

 unfrequented regions in which most of my experience with them has lain. Not even the heedless 

 and confiding little Sandpipers are more unsuspicious than the Red-breasted Snipes ; while their 

 very sociable disposition draws them so closely together, that scores may be cruelly slaughtered 

 at a single discharge, as is too often done by greedy gunners, thinking only of making a large 

 bag. I do not know what one of its tribe is more gentle and amiable than this species ; and 

 certainly none surpass it in easy grace of movement : there is nothing brusque, or hasty, or 

 startling in its bearing ; it has the poise of perfect breeding. There are few prettier sights than 

 a flock feeding in fancied security by the water's edge, where some pace daintily along the oozy 

 surface, probing at ease to the right and left as they advance, while others, wading into the water 

 till it reaches their plumage, continually dip the head out of sight for a moment, exploring the 

 bottom with the delicately sensitive bill. The thrust is given quickly, with the bill held perpen- 

 dicular, and thrust in to its full length ; a second suffices for the tactile sense to discover if 

 there be food or not, when the bill is as dexterously withdrawn and reinserted. While thus 

 feeding, the flock scatters sometimes quite widely, covering much ground, and all the while 

 sustaining a pleasant conversation in undertone. Upon alarm the birds utter a soft ' weet,' and 

 take wing, flying in a compact flock, but generally to no great distance ; indeed they oftenest circle 

 a few times and then realight on the same spot, pitching down all together in a compact body, and 

 standing motionless thus grouped like statues, wondering what caused them fright. If reassured, 

 they soon scatter again to resume their busy search for food. In wading among uneven shallows 

 they are not seldom taken off their feet over some deeper inequality of the bottom, when, being 

 more extensively semipalmate than most Snipe, they readily swim for a little distance till they find 

 footing again. When thus moving over the water they remind one of Phalaropes ; they rest very 

 lightly on the surface, seeming to scarcely sink at all, elevate the tail, and accompany each motion 

 of the feet with back-and-forth swaying of the head. They also swim bravely on, wheu dropped 

 wounded into the water; I have seen them make twenty or thirty yards to reach the brink of 

 the pool, where they would attempt to hide in the rank herbage, stretching themselves at full 

 length, and submitting to capture without a struggle, though with such an air of sad helplessness, 



