Habits and Habitat of Snipe. 1 6 1 



more than any other portion of the human 

 form divine. Mr Cholmondeley-Pennell re- 

 lates a singular instance of this. One of 

 the most successful fishers of that wariest 

 and keenest - sighted of plebeians, the Chub, 

 informed him that the gratifying weights of 

 his catches were due almost entirely to his 

 plan of covering his face with a sort of 

 mask when approaching his quarry. *' If he 

 attempted the same process unmasked, the 

 Chub were instantly alarmed and ceased bit- 

 ing, or made off altogether." ^ I do not 

 suggest that the sportsman is to stalk the 

 marshes with his manly features vizored 

 like those of a racing motorist ; but he will 

 do well on occasions to put on the mask 

 of absolute stillness, which will be almost as 

 effectual, and not half so terrifying to any 

 superstitious bumpkin who may happen to 

 catch sight of him. Of course, if birds are 

 plentiful, it would be waste of time to spend 

 five precious minutes of a short winter's day 

 waiting for every soaring snipe to make up 



^ The Sporting Fish of Great Britain. 



