GREAT SNIPE. 367 



the beginning of summer, and presently commences the 

 business of propagation. Mr. Greiff gives such an account 

 of their habits at this period as would lead us to assimilate 

 them to those of the Ruff: — " I was an old sportsman of 

 thirty years' standing before it came to my knowledge that 

 Double Snipes had their leh, or playing-ground. I heard 

 their cry a whole spring, which was in a marsh where I had 

 a good orr-lek, but never observed them, and therefore be- 

 lieved it to be some frogs or reptiles ; but at last I discovered 

 they were Double Snipes, which ran like rats among the 

 hillocks. Their cry commences with a sound resembling the 

 smack of the tongue, and thereupon four or five louder 

 follow." According to Mr. Hoy, " the nest is similar to, 

 and placed in the same situation as, that of the common 

 species. The eggs are four in number." Mr. Yarrell adds, 

 " These are of a yellow olive-brown, spotted with two shades 

 of reddish-brown ; the length one inch nine lines, by one 

 inch and two lines in breadth." After breeding, these birds 

 remain in the north until toward the end of September, and 

 they and their young become extremely fat, and afford the 

 most delicious eating ; for which reason, and the amusement 

 they afford, they are much sought after, and, being easy to 

 shoot, are, in some places killed in great numbers. 



The flight of the Great Snipe is less rapid than that of 

 the Common species. It rises in silence, flies steadily and 

 heavily, with the tail expanded like a fan, and usually pro- 

 ceeds but a short distance before alighting. 



