196 BIRDS OF LA PLATA 
while feeding and are visibie from a long distance ; 
but they become extremely wary, all raising their | 
heads in a very un-Snipe-like manner at the slightest 
alarm, and taking flight with the readiness of Wild 
Ducks. These flocks are, however, not often met 
with. Usually the Snipe is a solitary bird, crouches 
close when approached, and springs up suddenly 
when almost trodden on, loudly uttering its sharp 
scraping alarm-cry; after rising to a considerable 
height, flying in a wild erratic manner, it returns 
suddenly to the earth, often dropping into the grass 
within twenty yards of the spot it rose from. 
It is indeed curious to see how these habits, char- 
acteristic of the Snipes all over the world, are so 
completely laid aside when the birds associate in 
large flocks. 
Early and late in the day many individuals are 
usually on the wing engaged in their aerial pastimes, 
the singular grinding or scythe-whetting sounds 
caused by their feathers in their violent descent from 
a great height being distinctly audible at a distance 
of nearly a mile. It is heard throughout the winter 
at all hours of the day in mild, damp weather, and 
on moonlight nights often until after midnight. 
