BAY SNIPE. 
17 
“ This cofrimon species, well known throughout the Union, ar¬ 
rives on the shores of New Jersey and Long Island in the early 
part of May. It associates in flocks, and frequents the muddy 
flats that are left bare at the recess of the tide. At high water, 
it 7 esorts to the ponds on the beaches and meadows, where it 
gk ans its food, consisting of small shell-fish, worms, and insects. 
It is sometimes observed wading into the shallow water, in pur¬ 
suit of small fishes. 
“ Gregarious in its habits, it is continually calling for others 
to unite with it, when its shrill cry informs the gunner of its ap¬ 
proach. It obeys the decoys, answers the fowler’s whistle, and 
if the sportsman is well concealed, sets its wings, and glides 
smoothly up to the decoys, gradually lowering its long legs— 
which, when flying, appear conspicuous beyond the tail feathers 
—and gently alights on the soft mud, or in the shallow wate** 
It is more timid than the Red-breasted Snipe ; but like that 
species, when invited' by the gunner’s whistle, it is not unusual 
for it to return, and. receive the second fire. 
" The voice of the Yellow-shanks is shrill, and consists of 
three or more notes. When wounded in the wing, it runs fast, 
and hides among the grass, frequently so well concealing itself 
as to avoid detection. Its manners and customs are well known 
to our gunners, and it is met with by sportsmen on many 
streams in the interior. Although its flesh is not superior, it 
meets with ready sale in the New York markets, and large 
numbers are shot to supply the demand. 
“A noted gunner residing in the vicinity of Bellport, informed 
me that he killed one hundred and six Yellow-shanks, by dis¬ 
charging both barrels of his gun into a flock while they were 
sitting along the beach. This is. a higher number than I should 
have hit upon, had I been asked to venture an opinion on the 
result of a very unusually successful shot. Still, it is entitled to 
credit. Wilson speaks of eighty-five Red-breasted Snipe 
having been shot at one discharge of a musket. Mr. Audubon 
mentions that he was present when one hundred and twenty- 
seven were killed by discharging three barrels. Mr. Brasher, 
VOL. II. 2 
