SEMIPALMATED SNIPE. 81 
the salt marshes. The yomig are covered 
1 " ^ grey-coloured down ; run off soon after they 
of f * **hell ; and are led and assisted in their search 
Iv-it Ijy the mother, while the male keeps a continual 
Tk fo'' their safety. 
for tf '?‘’^‘ety and affection manifested by these birds 
Per ^ *ggs and young, arc truly interesting. A 
i'V tl*'* sooner enters the marshes, than he is beset 
tile willets, flying around and skimming over his 
cry ’ ^'Ociferating with great violence their common 
olieV*^ and uttering at times a loud 
As oote, as he approaches nearer to their nest. 
rvk.7*y occasionally alight, and slowly shut their long 
Hot ® wings speckled « ith black, they have a mournful 
^^pressive of great tendernes.s. During the tei*m 
n.i**'^'*^ation, the female often resorts to the seashore, 
^f^tuling up to the belly in water, she washes 
fa “.“‘''^sses her plumage, seeming to enjoy great satis- 
at 'll" these frequent immersions. 8he is also 
Oiosf **'. seen to wade more in the water than 
q.ip .'jf her tribe; and, wlien wounded in the wing, 
tob ® to the water without hesitation, and swims 
well. 
cott,”* of the willet, in every instance which has 
hati* "Oder my observation, are placed, during incu- 
enj*"'’ to an almost upright position, with the large 
pfj, VPl'ermost; and this appears to be the constant 
tl)g, *0® of several other species of birds that breed in 
are**** ’"orshes. During the laying season, the crows 
®nd 'oaiuing over the marshes in search of eggs, 
aljj, t'herever they come, spread consterniitiou and 
attack '‘oiong the willets, who, in united numbers, 
"ortk pursue them with loud clamours. It is 
brcgj ^ ^f ''oo'ark, that, among the various birds that 
®®>ch marshes, a mutual respect is paid to 
laijj other’s eggs ; and it is only from intruders on the 
Ulan k- ’ ®ooh as crows, jays, weasels, foxes, minx, and 
(bp^j^ooself, that these affectionate tribes have most to 
^tie willet subsists chiefly on small shell fish, marine 
'^01. ui. 
