28 



SEMI-PALMATED SNIPE. 



some the ground color has a tmge of green; in others of blueish* 

 They are excellent eating, as I have often experienced when 

 obliged to dine on them in my hunting excursions through the 

 salt marshes. The young are covered with a grey-colored down; 

 run off soon after they leave the shell; and are led and assisted in 

 their search of food by the mother ; while the male keeps a con- 

 tinual watch around for their safety. 



The anxiety and affection manifested by these birds for their 

 eggs and young, are truly interesting. A person no sooner enters 

 the marshes than he is beset by the Willets, flying around and 

 skimming over his head, vociferating with great violence their 

 common cry of PiU'will-willet ; and uttering at times a loud click- 

 ing note, as he approaches nearer to their nest. As they occasion- 

 ally alight and slowly shut their long white wings speckled with 

 black, they have a mournful note, expressive of great tenderness. 

 During the term of incubation, the female often resorts to the sea 

 shore, where, standing up to the belly in water, she washes and 

 dresses her plumage, seeming to enjoy great satisfaction from these 

 frequent immersions. She is also at other times seen to wade more 

 in the water than most of her tribe; and when wounded in the 

 wing will take to the water without hesitation, and swims tole- 

 rably well. 



The eggs of the Willet, in every instance which has come 

 under my observation, are placed during incubation in an almost 

 upright position, with the large end uppermost; and this appears 

 to be the constant practice of several other species of birds that 

 breed in these marshes. During the laying season the Crows are 

 seen roaming over the marshes in search of eggs, and wherever 

 they come spread consternation and alarm among the Willets, 

 who in united numbers attack and pursue them with loud cla- 

 mours. It is worthy of remark, that among the various birds that 

 breed in these marshes, a mutual respect is paid to each other's 

 eggs; and it is only from intruders from the land side, such as 



