74 
WADING BIRDS. 
the whole of the inclement season in the swamps of New 
Jersey, near to Cape May. When discovered in their retreats, 
they are observed wandering along the marshes and muddy 
fiats near the sea-shore, in quest of reptiles, fish, and marine 
worms. Occasionally they are seen sailing along from place 
to place with a heavy, silent flight, elevated but little above 
the surface of the earth. Ever wary, and stealing from the 
view of all observers, these gaunt shades of something which 
constantly avoids the social light impress the mind no less 
with curiosity than aversion ; and it is surprising that, furtive 
and inharmonious as owls, they have not excited the prejudice 
of the superstitious. 
At times they utter a loud, clear, and piercing cry that may 
be heard to a very considerable distance, and which, being 
not unaptly compared to the whoop or yell of the savages 
when rushing to battle, has conferred upon our bird his pecu- 
liar appellation. Other species of the genus possess also the 
same sonorous cry. When wounded they attack those who 
approach them with considerable vigor, so much so as to have 
been known to dart their sharp and dagger-like bill through 
the incautious hand held out for their capture. Indeed, 
according to Dr. Richardson, they have sometimes driven the 
fowler fairly out of the field. 
In the winter season, dispersed from their native haunts in 
quest of subsistence, they are often seen prowling in the low 
grounds and rice-fields of the Southern States in quest of 
insects, grain, and reptiles ; they swallow also mice, moles, 
rats, and frogs with great avidity, and may therefore be looked 
upon at least as very useful scavengers. They are also at 
times killed as game, their flesh being well flavored, as they 
do not subsist so much upon fish as many other birds of this 
family. It is with difficulty, however, that they can be 
approached or shot, as they are so remarkably shy and vigilant. 
They build their nests on the ground, after the manner of the 
common Crane of Europe, selecting a tussock of long grass in 
some secluded and solitary swamp, raising its sides to suit 
their convenience so as to sit upon it with extended legs. The 
