UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 549 



Coot swims remarkably well, and, when wounded, will dive like a 

 Duck. It is known in Pennsylvania by the name of the Mud-hen. 



American Avoset. This species arrives on the coast of Cape May 

 late in April ; rears its young, and departs to the south early in Oc- 

 tober. It almost constantly frequents the shallow pools in the salt 

 marshes; wading about, often to the belly, in search of marine 

 worms, snails, and various insects that abound among the soft muddy 

 boitoms of the pools. It is a shy and noisy bird ; and from its per- 

 petual clamour it s called by the inhabitants of Cape May, the Law* 

 yer. T.je nest of this species is generally fixed in a tuft of grass, at 

 a short distance from one of the above mentioned pools ; the eggs, 

 are tour in number, of a duil olive colour, marked with large irregu- 

 lar biotciits of black. 



The LoTig-ltgged Avoset arrives on the coast of New jersey about 

 the same time as the toregoing ; and frequents the like situations, in. 

 the salt marshes. But they are considerably more numerous thaa 

 the American Avoset. They breed in small communities : the nests 

 of six or eight pair being generally found in the vicinity of one of the 

 pools. The eggs are also four in number, of a dark yellowish clay 

 colour, thickly marked with large blotches of black. These nests 

 are often placed within fifteen or twenty yards of each other ; but the 

 greatest harmony seems to prevail among the proprietors. While 

 the females are sitting, the males are either wading through the 

 ponds, or roaming over the adjoining marshes; but should a person 

 make his appearance, the whole collect together in the air, flying 

 with their long legs extended behind them, keeping up a continual 

 yelping of click, click, click. Their flight is steady, and not in short 

 sudden jerks like that of the Plover. The names by which this spe» 

 cies is known on the coast, are the Stilt or Tilt, and Long-shanks. 



Red Flamingo. This is a very singular bird ; and is occasionally 

 seen on the southern frontiers of the United States ; but it is more 

 common on the peninsula of East Florida. Its flesh is esteemed 

 pretty good meat ; and the young thought by some equal to a Par- 

 tridge; but the greatest dainty is the tongue, which was esteemed 

 by the ancients an exquisite morsel. 



The Great Northern Diver or Loon is migratory in Pennsylvania* 

 It is found along the coast as well as in the interior. They are com- 

 monly seen in pairs; and procure their food, which is fish, in the 

 deepest water of our rivers, diving after it, and continuing under 

 for a length of time. Being a wary bird, it is seldom they are killed! 

 eluding their pursuers by their astonishing faculty of diving. They 

 seem averse from flying, and are but seldom seen on the wing. The 

 Loon is said to be restless before a storm ; and an experienced mas* 

 ter of a coasting vessel informed me that he always knew when a 

 tempest was approaching by the cry of this bird, which is very shrill, 

 and may be heard at the distance of a mile or more. 



Black Skimmer or Sheerwater. This truly singular fowl is the only 

 species of its tribe hitherto discovered. Like many others, it is a 

 Bird of passage in the United States ; and makes its appearance on 

 the shores of New Jersey early in May. Its favourite haunts are low 

 sand bars, raised above the reach of the summer tides. On such 

 places it usually breeds ; the eggs, three in number, being placed in. 

 a hollow formed in the sand, without any materials. The Sheerwater^ 

 form themselves into small societies in the breeding season, which 

 commences early in June; and it is not unusual to find the nests 6f 



Vol. II- Y y 



