THE SUMMER-SNIPES. 2S5 



the variety of places in which the species is encountered. In 

 May I have found it in pairs, in full breeding plumage, on 

 the sides of the lake in Avington Park in Hampshire ; and the 

 specimens which my friend, the late Sir Edward Shelley, 

 allowed me to procure for the British Museum, are pre- 

 served in the national collection. On its arrival in spring 

 the species is not shy, and I found several pairs at Avington, 

 where they frequented the shores of the lake for several days 

 before passing northward. The habits of the old birds in 

 spring are exactly similar to those of the species in autumn, ex- 

 cepting that, at the latter time of year, it is possible to see 

 family parties of five or six together. A certain number of 

 non-breeding birds remain in the south, for I have met with 

 solitary individuals on the shores of the Thames in June. 

 Towards the end of July and early in August the migrants 

 arrive from the north, and small flocks of half-a-dozen or more 

 frequent the edges of the river, or retreat on to the adjacent 

 grass-lands, where they run about among the cows, catching 

 insects and bobbing their tails after the manner of Wag- 

 tails. In fact, when feeding or running on the mud, the tail 

 of the Summer-Snipe is always in motion. Excepting in the 

 case when family parties keep together, and are somewhat 

 ensily approached, the Summer-Snipe is decidedly a shy bird, 

 and the isolated individuals which are met with are not only 

 difficult to get within gun-shot, but are always wary in the ex- 

 treme. And this is true, not only of those one may encounter 

 on the river-side, but also of the stray birds that one meets 

 with on the muddy creeks of a tidal harbour. Another aid to 

 escape is exhibited by the excellent diving powers of this little 

 bird. I well remember how, in Romney Hoy, I shot at a Summer- 

 Snipe, and only wounded it ; so the bird commenced to swim, 

 and paddled away at a great rate. Not liking to shoot a bird and 

 not preserve it, I waded into the water, fancying that I knew 

 every step on the green saltings then covered by the sea ; but 

 the bird swam as fast as I could walk, and I was soon knee- 

 deep and more in the water. Holding my gun well up, and 

 lifting my coat to keep my upper garments dry, I waded 

 on to try and head the bird, when in a second I stepped into 

 a deep hole, and went head-over-heels beneath the water. 

 After that I became reckless, and determined to catch my 



