12 RED-BREASTED SNIPE. 



crowd together, are apt to launch upwards in the air for awhile, and after 

 performing several evolutions in contrary directions, glide towards the 

 ground, and wend their way close to it, until finding a suitable place, they 

 alight in a very compact body, and stand for a moment. Sometimes, as if 

 alarmed, they recommence their meandering flight, and after awhile return 

 to the same spot, alighting in the same manner. Then is the time when the 

 gunner may carry havoc amongst them; but in two or three minutes they 

 separate and search for food, when you must either put them up to have a 

 good shot, or wait the arrival of another flock at the same place, which often 

 happens, for these birds seldom suffer any of their species to pass without 

 sending them a note of invitation. It is not at all uncommon to shoot 

 twenty or thirty of them at once. I have been present when 127 were 

 killed by discharging three barrels, and have heard of many dozens having 

 been procured at a shot. When wounded and brought to the water, they 

 try in vain to dive, and on reaching the nearest part of the shore, they 

 usually run a few steps and squat among the grass, when it becomes difficult 

 to find them. Those which have escaped unhurt often remain looking upon 

 their dead companions, sometimes waiting until shot at a second time. 

 When they are fat, they afford good eating, but their flesh is at no time so 

 savoury as that of the common American Snipe. 



The cry of this species when on wing is a single and rather mellow iveet. 

 When on the ground I have heard them emit a continued guttural rolling 

 sound, such as is on certain occasions given out by the species last mentioned. 

 Their call-note resembles the soft and pleasing sound of a whistle; but I have 

 never heard them emit it while travelling. Nothing is known respecting 

 their breeding, and yet there can be little doubt that many of them must 

 rear young within the limits of the Union. 



By the Creoles of Louisiana the Red-breasted Snipe is named "Becassine 

 de Mer," as well as "Carouk." In South Carolina it is more abundant in 

 the autumnal months than in spring, when I should think they fly directly 

 across from the Floridas toward Cape Hatteras, as my friend Dr. Bachman 

 informs me that he never saw one of them in spring in the vicinity of 

 Charleston. 



Red-breasted Sntpe, Scolopax noveboracensis, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. vii. p. 48. 



Scolopax grisea, Bonap. Syn., p. 330. 



Scolopax noveboracensis, New York Godwit, Swains, and Rich. F. Bor. Amer., vol. 



ii. p. 398. 

 Brown or Red-breasted Snipe, Nutt. Man., vol. ii. p. 181. 

 Red-breasted Snipe, Scolopax noveboracensis, And. Orn. Biog., vol. iv. p. 285. 



Adult, 10£, IS J. 



