COMMON SNIPE. 375 



direct, and, when it is proceeding to a distant place, elevated. 

 It is very seldom that two or more individuals are seen 

 together on wing, unless when a shot has been fired in a 

 place where they are very numerous. 



The food of the Snipe consists of worms, insects, and 

 delicate fibrous roots of plants. On alighting it stands for a 

 short time, apparently for the purpose of looking around ; 

 then proceeds in search of food with its bill obliquely 

 inclined toward the ground, which it rapidly probes to a 

 variable depth, sometimes inserting the bill to its base. By 

 the peaty or muddy edges of ditches, rills, and small water- 

 runs, the marks thus left are frequent. It also wades in the 

 water, keeping itself as high as possible on its legs. In 

 feeding it cannot be properly said to associate with any 

 other bird, although occasionally in summer the Dunlin, and 

 in winter the Water Rail and Jack Snipe may be found in 

 the same place. 



I have many times watched the Snipe while feeding by 

 unfrozen rills and in oozy ground, when there was snow on 

 the ground, as well as on ordinary occasions, when, however, 

 it is very difficult to observe it, or when it is met with, to 

 avoid alarming it. Proceeding in a crouching manner, it 

 thrusts its bill rapidly into the mud, often up to the base, 

 seems to be groping with it for a moment or two, then as 

 rapidly withdraws it, and thus goes on, advancing slowly 

 and making many thrusts in some places, in others moving 

 quickly and making few trials. I have never seen it extract 

 anything to be subsequently swallowed, prehension and deglu- 

 tition being apparently performed while the bill is immersed. 

 It proceeds in silence, and if alarmed stops, crouches close 

 to the ground, sometimes allowing a very near approach ; or 

 if in a soft muddy or very wet place, flying off from a con- 

 siderable distance. 



Its flesh being delicate and savoury, the Snipe is in much 

 request, and is common in our markets. For this and other 

 reasons it is a favourite with sportsmen. It is also caught 

 with springes set in its usual runs, in the same manner as 

 the Woodcock. It is a general, but, I think, a filthy 

 practice, to prepare Snipes for the table without removing 



