45 



RED-BREASTED SNIPE. 

 SCOLOFAX NOVEBORACENSIS. 

 [Plate LVIII.— Fig. 1.] 



tircf. Zool. p. *64, JV*o. 368.— Peaie's Museum, JV'o. 3932. 



THIS bird has a considerable resemblance to the common 

 Snipe, not only in its general form, size and colors, but likewise 

 in the excellence of its flesh, which is in high estimation. It differs, 

 however, greatly from the common Snipe in its manners, and in 

 many other peculiarities, a few of which, as far as I have myself 

 observed, may be sketched as follows. The Red-breasted Snipe 

 arrives on the sea coast of New Jersey early in April; is seldom 

 or never seen inland: early in May it proceeds to the north to 

 breed, and returns by the latter part of July or beginning of Au- 

 gust. During its stay here it flies in flocks, sometimes very high, 

 and has then a loud and shrill whistle, making many evolutions 

 over the marshes ; forming, dividing, and reuniting. They some- 

 times settle in such numbers, and so close together, that eighty-five 

 have been shot at one discharge of a musquet. They spring from 

 the marshes with a loud twirling whistle, generally rising high, 

 and making several circuitous manoeuvres in air, before they de- 

 scend. They frequent the sand bars and mud flats at low water, 

 in search of food; and being less suspicious of a boat than of a 

 person on shore, are easily approached by this medium, and shot 

 down in great numbers. They usually keep by themselves, being 

 very numerous; are in excellent order for the table in September; 

 and on the approach of winter retire to the south. 



I have frequently amused myself with the various action of 

 these birds. They fly very rapidly, sometimes wheeling, coursing 



VOL. VII. M 



