TELL-TALE SNIPE. 
63 
brane to the middle, the whole of a rich orange yellow ; some of 
the tertials are scalloped on their edges, as if cut with dull scissors. 
The female differs little in plumage 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 
sentinel, 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 with- 
out the least suspicion. The great object of the gunner is to es- 
cape the penetrating glance of this guai’dian, which is sometimes 
extremely difficult to effect. On the first whistle of the Tell-tale, 
if beyond gunshot, the gunner abandons his design, but not with- 
out first bestowing a few left-handed blessings on the author of his 
disappointment. 
Pennant’s Spotted Snipe is undoubtedly this species. He states 
that it arrives at Hudson’s bay in the spring; feeds on small shell- 
fish and worms ; and frequents the banks of rivers. Called there, 
by the natives, from its noise, Sa-sa-sheiv.^ This Indian word, pro- 
nounced with rapidity, gives a tolerable idea of the whistle of the 
Tell-tale ; and is a proof of the advantage of recording the vulgar 
names of animals, when these names are expressive of any pecu- 
liarity of voice or habit. 
* Arct. Zool vol. 2, p. 170. 
