The Snipe. 297 



where some remain until the beginning of April. During the 

 whole of the winter months, these birds are observed to ramble 

 from one place to another, and a field which yesterday contained 

 a good number, has only a few to day, and to-morrow may be 

 quite deserted; but before the end of the week there you will 

 find them again, as abundant as at first. They rarely visit salt 

 waters, and never resort to the interior of the woods." 



The food of the Snipe consists principally of ground worms, 

 insects, and the juicy slender roots of different vegetables; all o' 

 which tend to give its flesh that richness of flavour and juicy ten" 

 derness for which it is so deservedly renowned, it being equal to 

 that of the Woodcock. Many epicures eat up the Snipe and 

 Woodcock with all their viscera, worms and insects to boot, the 

 intestines in fact, being considered the most savory part. On open- 

 ing some newely killed Snipes, I have more than once found fine 

 large and well fed ground worms, and at times a leech, which I 

 must acknowleda:e I never conceived suitable articles of food for 

 man, and for this reason I have always taken good care to have 

 both Snipes and Woodcock well cleaned, as all game ought to be. 

 The following is from Lewis' American Sportsman : 

 There are several game varieties of Snipe known in the Old 

 World, and all equally sought after by sportsmen ; there are also 

 many species in our own country, but only one that attracts much 

 attention from our shooters. In Russia, there is a large Snipe 

 that occasionally wanders as far as England, and is known there, 

 we believe, as the Horseman's Snipe, from its superior size and 

 fine appearance. This bird afi'ords much sport to the Russian 

 Noblesse, as well as a savory dish for their tables. The Double, 

 or Solitary Snipe, Scolopax Major, although quite rare in England, 

 is very common in Sweden ; it is nearly twice as large as the 

 common Snipe, and off"ers attractive amusement to the inhabitants 

 of that country, who pursue field sports with as great zest as the 

 sportsmen of our own country. The Scolopax Gallinago, or 

 English Snipe of America, is closely allied to the common snipe 

 of the Old World — it resembles it in plumage, size, and habits ; 

 a little difference, perhaps, may be conceded to the latter variety 

 in point of weight. The observant Wilson, in his usual style of 

 close investigation, discovered a very marked distinction between 

 the English and American bird, and in consideration of this dis- 

 covery, Temminck and other European Naturalists have very justly 

 dedicated the American Snipe to this distinguished Ornithologist, 



