120 TELL-TALE GODWIT, OE SNIPE. 
mage 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 without the least suspicion. The great object of the 
gunner is to escape 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 aban- 
dons his design, but not without first bestowing a few left-hand- 
ed blessings on the author of his disappointment. 
