io8 IVILD-FOIVL AND SEA-FOWL OF GREAT BRITAIN 



sometimes three, are c^reyish-yellow in ground- 

 colour, with a tinge of blue ; spotted and patched 

 with dark brown and brownish-grey ; but they vary 

 in size and colour. Sometimes the Snipe, when 

 sitting, will allow a chance foot to come very close, 

 almost to touch the edge of the nest, before she 

 springs. 



The young are pretty little fellows, covered at 

 first with down of a reddish-brown colour spotted 

 with darker brown, and white on the head and 

 upper parts. They leave the nest after being 

 hatched out, and follow their mother in search of 

 food. If danger threatens they squat, and the 

 mother does the usual broken wing and leg busi- 

 ness. Some years ago, before Aldershot was what 

 it is now, numbers of Snipe bred close to it ; for 

 at that time you could find enough bog there to 

 satisfy them. Some is left there now ; it has not 

 been quite improved away. It was not the least 

 trouble to watch their most interesting aerial 

 manoeuvres, for they were humming and bleating 

 in all directions over the bogs — bogs that you 

 dare not venture on even with a long broad plank : 

 the experiment was tried by one that would not be 

 deterred by trifles, but the plank went under the 

 floating bog when walked on. So the Snipe had 

 their humming all to themselves at that place. 



At that time they were in numbers there, but we 

 could find quite enough to answer our purpose 

 nearer home. One spot is left where they can be 

 found even now. It is a dangerous part for a 



