132 HABITS OF. BIRDS. 


Jack Snipe. 
existing requires it, and a few others, all the feath- 
ered tribe seem to have a general tendency towards 
association, either in flocks, family parties, or pairs; 
but the individuals of this species pass a large por- 
tion of their lives retired and alone, two of them 
being rarely, or, perhaps, never found in company, 
except in the breeding season.* 
Similar remarks may be applied to the sandpiper 
(Totanus hypoleucos, Temmincx), which is so solita- 
ry in habit that we have seldom observed two of 
them together, even during the breeding season ; 
theugh individuals are very frequently seen trip- 
ping along the sands by the sides of lakes and riv- 
ers, in pursuit of water-insects, which they capture 
by speed of foot, seldom, if ever, taking wing to 
continue the pursuit, as is often done by their fel- 
low-hunter the wagtail (Motacilla lotor). We are 
not aware that they congregate, even during their 
migrations. . 
From the foregoing details of the solitary and 
* Journal of a Naturalist, p. 253, 
