GRAY SNIPE— GODWIT- DUCK— SWALLOW- SANDPIPER. 



91 



were constructed in crevices between the stones in the walls and 

 arches of bridges. In several instances the nests were but little 

 above the surface of the stream. In one, the first laying had been 

 flooded, and the eggs chilled. The birds had constructed another 

 nest above the first one, in which were six fresh eggs, as many as 

 in the other. One nest had been built between the stones of the 

 wall that formed one of the sides of the flume of a mill ; two feet 

 above it was a frequented footpath, and at the same distance below, 

 the water of the mill stream. Another nest was between the boards 

 of a small building in which revolved a water-wheel. The en- 

 trance to it was through a knot-hole in the outer partition, and the 

 nest rested on a small rafter between the outer and inner board- 

 ings." 



The eggs are usually six in number, pure white, measuring about 

 •75 b y -53 inches. 



Red-breasted Snipe — Gray Snipe, (Macrorhamphus griseus.) 



Fig. 5- 



The Red-breasted Snipe is common throughout North America, 

 wintering in the Southern States, and as far south as Brazil and 

 Chili, breeding in Alaska and the Arctic region generally. They 

 commence their northern migration in April, and return again, 

 more leisurely, early in the autumn. The nests are built with lit- 

 tle regard to elegance, consisting of a simple hollow in some grassy 

 hummock, near or in low-lying marshes, and containing no lining 

 whatever. The number of eggs is usually four, with ground 

 color of a grayish-olive, covered all over with numerous heavy 

 and often massed markings, and measuring about 1.62 by 1.12 

 inches. 



This bird is a gentle, affectionate, and unsuspicious creature, 

 always associating in large flocks, flying in compact masses, and 

 making no efforts to avoid the murderous discharge of the sports- 

 man's gun. Partially web-footed, it swims with ease short dis- 

 tances. The food consists of various water-bugs, leeches, worms, 

 and soft molluscs, besides the seeds of aquatic plants, and when 

 in good condition, is excellent eating. When in the act of feed- 

 ing on muddy flats, they probe the ground after the manner of the 

 American Snipe, probing the soft mud with their bills with sur- 

 prising rapidity. Their cry when on the wing is a single melan- 

 choly note, resembling a sort of low, long-pronounced " sweet." 



Great Marbled Godwit. (Limosa fedoa.) 



Fig. 6. 



But little is known of the breeding habits of the Great Marbled 

 Godwit, notwithstanding its widespread distribution, which covers 

 all of temperate North America, extending into Central and South 

 America, and the West Indies. It breeds in Missouri and Upper 

 Missouri regions, in Iowa, Minnesota, and Eastern Dakota. It 

 nests in open plains, near rivers or pools; the eggs presenting a 

 clear, light olivaceous-drab, with evenly distributed spots of various 

 shades of brown, and measuring about 2.28 by 1.56 inches. This 

 Godwit is abundant along most of the Atlantic coast, as far north 

 as New England. It is found in the greatest numbers, however, 

 in the West, in the region of the Northern Mississippi and Eastern 

 Missouri. Dr. Elliot Coues, to whom we are indebted for most of 

 the above facts, says that " in its habits during the incubating sea- 

 son it most nearly resembles the Curlew, and the two species, of 

 much the same size and general appearance, might be readily mis- 

 taken at a distance where the difference in the bill might not be 

 perceived. On intrusion near the nest, the birds mount in the air 

 with loud, piercing cries, hovering slowly around with labored 

 flight, in evident distress, and approaching sometimes within a few 

 feet of the observer." 



Ring-necked Duck. {Fuligula collaris.) 



Fig. 7- 



The Ring-neck inhabits the whole of North America, wintering 

 in the Southern States, and beyond as far as Guatemala, and is an 

 accidental visitor in Europe. As it breeds in the far north, little 

 has as yet been learned regarding its habits. It arrives in the 

 United States about the middle of September, in flocks of from 

 fifteen to twenty, flying with considerable rapidity, at a great 

 height, and, from the movement of their wings, producing a con- 

 stant whistling sound. When suitable food is found, the flesh is 

 excellent, equaling that of any other Duck, being tender, fat, and 

 juicy, and destitute of any rank, fishy flavor. They feed by diving 

 and nibbling among the roots of grasses, varying their diet with 

 snails, and the different aquatic insects. They swim with great 

 lightness and ease, and rise from the water without effort. Audu- 

 bon tells us that " they have an almost constant practice of raising 

 the head in a curved manner, partially erecting the occipetal 

 feathers, and emitting a note resembling the sound produced by a 

 person blowing through a tube. At the approach of spring, the 

 males are observed repeating this action every now and then while 

 near the females, none of which seem to pay the least attention to 

 their civilities." 



White- bellied Swallow. (Hirundo bicolor.) 

 Fig. 8. 



This graceful and friendly little Swallow is found throughout 

 North America, breeding as far north as the Arctic regions. From 

 association with man, he has learned new departures, becoming 

 familiar almost to tameness. In wild regions, it breeds exclusively 

 in hollow logs and stumps, but on the advent of man it forsakes, 

 as far as possible, the rural districts, and takes up its abode in 

 cities and villages. They arrive from the South from the first to 

 the last of April, but it is not until the middle of May that they 

 commence building or repairing their nests. Attached to certain 

 localities, they return year after year to inhabit the same nest. Any 

 sheltered and accessible place, a rough box, or a knot-hole in a 

 building, answers their purpose. The nest is a loose, soft, unsym- 

 metrical affair, formed of soft leaves and hay, and thickly lined 

 with down and feathers. The eggs are from four to five, of a pure 

 white color, and about .70 by .50 inches in size. Two broods are 

 usually, though not always, raised in a season. 



These birds are very affectionate to their young, and evince 

 great solicitude for their safety. They are also extremely pugna- 

 cious during the breeding season, frequently attacking and driving 

 away much larger birds. They are most numerous on the sea- 

 shore, but many are found far inland. A pair for several years 

 has taken possession of a part of the shelter which protects the 

 writer, and have cheered many an hour with their sweet and con- 

 stant chattering. 



The myths connected with the Swallow are the most charming 

 of any in literature, and, reproduced in full, would make a long 

 and curious chapter. 



Purple Sandpiper. (Tringa marittma.) 



Fig. 9- 



This bird is confined mostly to the sea-shore of North America, 

 extending its wanderings as far south as the Middle States, where 

 it winters. It is also common on the shores of Lake Michigan. 

 Like nearly all our water-birds, but little is known of its habits of 

 incubation, owing to its bringing forth its young in the Arctic re- 

 gions. Its eggs are of the usual pyriform shape, and measure 



