TELL-TALE GODWIT, OR SNIPE. 



5S 



brane to the middle, the whole of a rich orange yellow. The 

 female differs little in plumage from the male ; sometimes the vent 

 is slightly dotted with black, and the upper parts more brown. 



Nature seems to have intended this bird as a kind of spy, or 

 centinel, for the safety of the rest; and so well acquainted are they 

 with the watchful vigilance of this species, that, while it continues 

 silent among them, the Ducks feed in the bogs and marshes with- 

 out the least suspicion. The great object of the gunner is to es- 

 cape the penetrating glance of this guardian, which is sometimes 

 extremely difficult to effect. On the first whistle of the Tell-tale, 

 if beyond gunshot, the gunner abandons his design, but not with- 

 out first bestowing a few left-handed blessings on the author of his 

 disappointment. 



