EED-BRE ASTED SNIPE. 331 
a very pale ashy green ; sometimes the whole thighs, and sides of the 
vent, are barred with dusky and white, as in the figure in the plate. 
The female differs in being more obscure in her colors ; the white on 
the back being less pure, and the black not so deep. 
Species IV. SCOL OP AX NO VEB OR A CENSIS. 
RED-BREASTED SNIPE. 
[Plate LVIII. Fig. 1.] 
Arct. Zool. p. 464, No. 368 * 
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 seacoast 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 begin- 
ning of August. 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 sometimes 
settle in such numbers, and so close together, that eighty-five have been 
shot at one discharge of a musket. They spring from the marshes with 
a loud twirling whistle, generally rising high, and making several 
circuitous manoeuvres in air, before they descend. 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 vei'y rapidly, sometimes wheeling, coursing and 
doubling along the surface of the marshes ; then shooting high in air, 
there separating ; and forming in various bodies, uttering a kind of 
quivering whistle. Among many which I opened in May, were several 
* We add the following synonymes : — Scolopax noveboracensis, Lath. Lid. Orn. 
p. 723, No. 32.— S. grisea, id. p. 724, No. 33. Temm. Man. d' Orn. p. 679. Gmel. 
Syst. p. 658, No. 27, adult in winter plumage. S. noveboracensis, Id. p. 658, No. 
28, adult in summer plumage. 
