318 REPTILES AND BIRDS. 
In Brittany, some years ago, Woodcocks were so common that 
the inhabitants were in the habit of catching them with nets in the 
following singular way :—Two men went out together at night, one 
carrying a lantern, the other a small net fastened at the end of a pole. 
They proceeded to those parts of the woods where deer had been 
grazing, as such localities are always favourite haunts of this bird, on 
account of their finding worms and insects among that quadruped’s 
droppings. When the Woodcock was discovered, the light from the 
lantern was suddenly thrown on the bird, which, dazzled with its 
brilliancy, allowed itself to be entrapped. 
A similar method to the above is practised by the negroes on the 
Southern plantations of the United States, with this difference— 
instead of a net, only a club is used for their destruction. Often 
the slaughter of a successful night amounts to hundreds. The 
American Woodcock is scarcely as large as the European bird, but 
it is none the less sought after. 
The Woodcock is a delicious article of food, from its exquisite 
flavour and piquancy; it in consequence holds the highest rank 
among game in the eyes of the epicure. 
The Snipe much resembles the Woodcock, but is smaller, with 
longer tarsi. It is also different in its habits. It haunts marshes 
and fens, feeding on grubs—sometimes even on aquatic plants. It 
travels during the night as well as in the day, generally preferring 
stormy damp weather for performing its migrations. 
The Snipe is found in all latitudes in every part of the globe. 
Some remain the year round in France and Ireland. They make 
their nests among reeds in muddy, boggy places, difficult of access 
to both man and beast, in which they lay four or five eggs. The 
young ones leave the nest as soon as hatched, and are fed by their 
parents for some time, the want of solidity in their bills not permitting 
them to bore for their own food. 
The Snipe does not live so solitary a life as the Woodcock ; but is 
occasionally seen in wisps or flocks. When flushed they utter a 
shrill cry, which is easily recognised. The migratory birds visit us 
in autumn, coming from the marshes of Poland and Hungary, whither 
they return again in the spring. The most common species are the 
Common Snipe (Scolofax gallinago, Fig. 123, 2), the Great Snipe, 
(S. major), the Jack Snipe (S. gadiinula, Fig. 123, 1), Sabine Snipe 
(S. Sadznz), and the American variety (.S. We/sonzz). 
The Common Snipe is no bigger than a Thrush, and has a bill 
longer in proportion than the Woodcock. It has on the head two 
longitudinal black stripes ; the neck and shoulders are blackish, and 
