116 
SEMIPALMATED SNIPE. 
and are of a dark dingy olive, largely blotched with blackish 
brown, particularly at the great end. In some the ground co- 
lour has a tinge of green; in others of bluish. They are excel- 
lent eating, as I have often experienced when obliged to dine 
on them in my hunting excursions through the salt marshes. 
The young are covered with a gray coloured down; run off soon 
after they leave the shell; and are led and assisted in their search 
of food by the mother; while the male keeps a continual watch 
around for their safety. 
The anxiety and affection manifested by these birds for their 
eggs and young, are truly interesting. A person no sooner en- 
ters the marshes, than he is beset with the Willets, flying around 
and skimming over his head, vociferating with great violence 
their common ciy of Pill-ivill-willet; and uttering at times a 
loud clicking note, as he approaches nearer to their nest. As 
they occasionally alight, and slowly shut their long white wings 
speckled with black, they have a mournful note, expressive of 
great tenderness. During the term of incubation, the female of- 
ten resorts to the seashore, where, standing up to the belly in 
water, she washes and dresses her plumage, seeming to enjoy 
great satisfaction from these frequent immersions. She is also 
at other times seen to wade more in the water than most of her 
tribe; and when wounded in the wing, will take to the water 
without hesitation, and swims tolerably well. 
The eggs of the Willet, in every instance which has come 
under my observation, are placed, during incubation, in an al- 
most upright position, with the large end uppermost; and this 
appears to be the constant practice of several other species of 
birds that breed in these marshes. During the laying season, 
the Crows are seen roaming over the marshes in search of eggs, 
and wherever they come spread consternation and alarm among 
the Willets, who in united numbers attack, and pursue them 
with loud clamours. It is worthy of remark, that among the 
various birds that breed in these marshes, a mutual respect is 
paid to each other’s eggs; and it is only from intruders from the 
