. A history of the game birds, wild-fowl and shore birds of Massachusetts and adjacent states : including those used for food which have disappeared since the settlement of the country, and those which are now hunted for food or sport, with observations on their former abundance and recent decrease in numbers; also the means for conserving those still in existence . orms are plentifulthat they will return to them again and again in the faceof the gunners fire, and this habit accounts in part for theirdiminution. Mackay says that they eat the larvse of a cutworm, whichhe has found in their thro
. A history of the game birds, wild-fowl and shore birds of Massachusetts and adjacent states : including those used for food which have disappeared since the settlement of the country, and those which are now hunted for food or sport, with observations on their former abundance and recent decrease in numbers; also the means for conserving those still in existence . orms are plentifulthat they will return to them again and again in the faceof the gunners fire, and this habit accounts in part for theirdiminution. Mackay says that they eat the larvse of a cutworm, whichhe has found in their throats, and that their food is similar tothat of the Black-breasted Plover, with which they often asso-ciate. Most authors, both in this country and Europe, statethat their food, both on the flats and on the beach, consistsof very small mollusks of several species. Dr. Townsend saysthat small periwinkles (Littorina) and mussels (Mytilus edulis)almost always are found in their stomachs. The Red-breasts are decoyed easily by imitating their noteor that of the Black-breasted Plover. The ease with whichthey may be taken will prove their bane unless all springshooting can be stopped on the Atlantic coast. 268 GAME BIRDS, WILD-FOWL AND SHORE BIRDS. PURPLE SANDPIPER (Arquatella maritima maritima).Common or local names: Winter Snipe; Rock-snipe; Rock-bird; Length. — About 9 inches; bill Adult in Winter. — Above very dark gray or bluish ash, with purple orviolet reflections, each feather of back and wing with a lighter border;throat and breast bluish ash; belly, under side of wing and wing barwhite; sides and upper breast streaked or spotted with dark gray; legs,feet and base of bill orange or yellow, rest of bill blackish. Adult in Spring. — Similar, but with a general rusty tinge above. Young. — Similar; feathers of back light tipped; under parts mottled withashy and dusky. Season. — A not uncommon winter visitant on rocky islands coastwise;September to Apri
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, booksubjectbirds, bookyear1912
