SEA-SIDE ORNITHOLOGY. ` 283 























pipers, Tatlers and Snipe, all of which are only autumnal and 
vernal visitants of the sea-coast. The time was when these 
constituted a much more marked feature of the maritime 
region than they now present, when the marshy grouud, at 
certain seasons, seemed all alive with their countless flocks. 
But in these respects the times are sadly altered, never, in 
all probability to be improved. One species only deserves 
special mention, alike for its peculiar habits and its excep- 
tional character. The Willet, the only representative of the 
genus Symphemia, is found along our entire coast, as far to 
the north, certainly, as Halifax, N. S., where I have met 
with it breeding, finding its nest and eggs. Mr. Audubon 
was mistaken when he stated it was never met with east of 
Boston. It is a very shy and wary bird. Even when breed- 
ing it is usually very quiet when its nest is approached, 
until the eges are about to hatch, or after the young have 
appeared. Then it becomes as remarkable for its clamor, 
and vociferates its loud cries of pill-will-will-willeté with 
great emphasis and distinctness. The Willet breeds in the 
sandy marshes of Nantucket and its neighboring islands, 
constructing a well-made nest of woven wire-grass, and the 
eggs, quite large for the bird, are sharply pointed at one 
end, and are always placed with this end turned towards the 
centre of the nest. After the close,of the breeding season 
they resume their shy and silent habits, and are sometimes 
own among sportsmen as “humilities.” Their eggs, when 
fresh, are esteemed a great luxury where they are sufficiently 
common to be well known, as near Norfolk, Va. 
Of the sea-fowl that now spend the warm season on our 
. Sea-coast, the list is not large and but little need be said. 
ague traditions are all that now assure us that some six or 
Seven species of sea-ducks once bred among the islands of 
Massachusetts. Except the Dusky Duck, which is an occa- 
Sonal exception, none of these now remain with us; only at 
the extreme eastern portions of Maine, the Eider Duck and 
the Red-breasted Merganser continue to construct their ex- 
AMER. NATURALIST, VOL. IIL. | 


