94. THE BIRDS OF BRECONSHIRE. 
COMMON SNIPE, Gallinago media. 
Breeds commonly on the various bogs 
on all the hills in the county. When 
flapper shooting on a large bog in the 
neighbourhood of Devynnock on August 
Ist, 1881, I killed seven Snipe, all young 
birds, The Snipe, however, on the 
whole, are not nearly so numerous in 
the winter season as they were. As 
with the Woodcock, the two last 
severe winters we had played _ sad 
havoc in their ranks. They are plenti- 
ful on the many bogs on the Hppynt 
Hills, and I know nothing more delightful 
than to wander with dog and gun on 
a fine November day, after rain, over 
these beautiful hills, now picking up a 
few Snipe, then a Duck or Teal, some- 
times a Woodcock or two, often a Golden 
Plover, and listening to the cry of an 
old cock Grouse, as he springs whirring 
up far out of reach. The largest bag 
of Snipe I ever made on these hills 
was seven couple in February. The 
Welsh name for the Common Snipe is 
giach, and as pronounced in Welsh 
admirably expresses the sound it makes 
on rising. I am informed that a 
ee ee oo ees 
