76 SHOOTING IN CHINA 



8 or more ounces, and some of the larger 

 well nourished specimens might occasional- 

 ly be mistaken for woodcock. 



The pin-tailed snipe (Gallinago stenura) 

 averages a couple of ounces less in weight 

 than the Swinhoe, and is of a lighter build 

 generally. Its tail feathers are twenty six 

 in number, ten comparatively broad plumes 

 forming the central fan, and sixteen very 

 narrow, very stiff, pin like feathers flanking 

 it, eight on either side. 



In the spring, that is from the middle of 

 April till towards the end of May, both the 

 above migrants may be found in the fields 

 of young wheat, beans and rape, as also in 

 the short lush grass wherever they come 

 across it. In the autumn, that is in August 

 and September, the birds largely affect the 

 umbered buffalo grass, where they are a 

 sure find towards sundown. 



Splendid bags were wont to be made in 

 days not long ago throughout the provinces 

 of Chekiang and Kiangsi, when paddy and 

 grass were more common than they are 

 now. Today so much land is diverted to 

 the cultivation of cotton that the birds pre- 

 sumably are compelled to seek their food in 



