Habits and Habitat of Snipe. 151 



both dine and sleep, for then, as they have 

 not had to make a post -prandial flight in 

 search of bed, they are more likely to be 

 full-fed and drowsy, and will probably lie 

 better to your gun. 



It is impossible to decide from inspection 

 which may be these ideal spots. Their ad- 

 vantages are nearly always as invisible as 

 their drawbacks to the eye of man, and 

 local experience alone can guide the sports- 

 man in this respect. As hinted previously, 

 however, the vagaries of the snipe, subject 

 as they are to the state of mind and body 

 of the bird itself, to say nothing of the 

 antics of the barometer and climatic conditions 

 generally, so often throw all experience, local 

 and general, to the winds, that it is almost 

 hopeless to give any absolutely reliable " tips " 

 as to the particular ground and particular day 

 on which the snipe-shooter may expect sport. 



One of the most puzzling enigmas of all 

 is that of which almost every snipe-walk and 

 snipe - shooting experience can supply in- 

 stances. A place which last year, nay, last 



