258 BIIID-LIFE OF THE BORDERS 



snowstorm, one could always find several snipe ; if these 

 were killed, others took their place by next day, and so 

 on during - the continuance of the snow. But on the first 

 indication of a thaw, the snipes were gone at once. 



The most favourable time for snipe-shooting, it may 

 here be remarked, is during the full of the moon, especially 

 if the nights at that period be fine and fair. The snipe 

 have then fed uninterruptedly all night, and consequently 

 are more apt to be resting and to lie closer during the day. 

 On dark nights without moon, or in wild weather when 

 her light is overcast, snipe are driven to feed partially by 

 day, and are then watchful and wild. I have had oppor- 

 tunities at such times to observe them while feeding— 

 often with breasts half immersed as they probed about in 

 the shallow water. 



Woodcock also at such times are forced to abandon 

 nocturnal habit, and I have seen them feeding in full day- 

 light under the brae of some open burn. But, indeed, to 

 the depths of many of those bosky dells in which wood- 

 cock delight, the weak horizontal rays of the winter sun 

 hardly penetrate at all, even at noontide, and in such spots 

 they can feed unmolested by daylight. 



The prevailing winds during autumn are westerly, and 

 these in Northumberland are usually dry. Little really 

 bad weather need be feared, however threatening the 

 heavens may appear, so long as the wind's airt is westerly. 

 The east winds are those which bring the fog, rain, and 

 dirty weather. A change of wind from east to west, will 

 be attended by an almost simultaneous clearing of the 

 waterlogged atmosphere and shortly succeeded by the 

 welcome appearance of the sun, often enhanced by superb 

 cloud-effects, as the murky masses are rolled up and 

 hurled back upon the North Sea. Weather forecasts 



