49 
RED-BREASTED SNIPE. 
SCOLOPJIX GBISEA. 
[Plate LVIIL— Fig. 1.] 
Scolopax noveboracensiS') Lath. Ind. Orn. p* 723, Ab. 32 ; grhea., p, 724, J\o. 33. Arct. 
Zool. p. 464, No, 368, 369. — Tem. Man. d^Orn.p, 679. — Peale’s Museum, No. 3932. 
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 Hed-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 beginning of Au- 
gust. 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 some- 
times 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 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 num- 
bers. 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 very rapidly, sometimes wheeling, coursing 
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VOL. VII. 
