^ BIRDS OF NEW JERSEY. 547 
the Quiscalus versicolor and Agelaius phomiceus. The 
built their nests invariably in trees growing upon the banks 
of streams, raising one brood only. 
19. Snipe ( Gallinago Wilsonii). We find on conversing 
with intelligent observers throughout the state, that in the 
immediate neighborhood of all those tracts of meadows 
where the Snipe first appear in March, or even earlier, that 
quite a number remain during the summer and breed. This 
has been our opinion and coincides with the results of our 
observations about the extensive tract of meadow extending 
along the Delaware River from Trenton to Bordentown, New 
Jersey. During the past few years we think the number 
remaining has increased steadily. In the autumn many ar- 
rive from the North and remain a longer or shorter time 
according to the weather. Indeed, so long as the ground is 
not too much frozen to enable them to feed, they are abun- 
dant; and after the formation of thick ice some still remain, 
resorting to spring-holes, and such open water as gives them 
a chance to thrust their bills in the mud; but we cannot im- 
agine what they then find to eat. During the winter we 
have examined the stomachs of many, but the mass contained 
therein was invariably so far digested as to render it impos- 
sible to recognize anything, except that it appeared to be 
largely animal matter. 
20. Tell-tale Sandpiper (Gambetta melanoleuca). 21. 
Yellow-legged Sandpiper ( Gambetta flavipes). 
Early in May, following the course of the Delaware River, 
these birds in company with other Scolopacide arrive in the 
neighborhood of Trenton, New Jersey, and on the muddy 
shores and marshy inland of Duck Island, and the exten- 
sive sand bars and grassy islands near and above the city 
mentioned, make themselves at home. By the first of June 
the great majority have gone North; but with the few 
smaller species that remain, and the myriads of Tringoides 
macularius, the “Tell-tale” and “Yellow-legs” now reduced 
in numbers, associate, and when feeding along the river act 
