GEEAT SNIPE. 5 



always on one of the smaller ones. Here it sits with the beak depressed without 

 turning its head ; and when the drumming commences it is begun by a whistling 

 note or two ; then comes the snapping note with five or six notes in rapid 

 succession, and then a hissing sound, followed by a note resembling the word 

 sbirrrr, which note becomes deeper as uttered. When the bird commences its 

 note the head is stretched upwards, and is held thus until the snapping 

 commences, after which it is depressed. Whilst producing these notes the bird 

 is in ecstacy, and raises and spreads its tail like a fan, the outer tail-feathers 

 showing in the half-darkness like two white patches. At a short distance the 

 sound of the notes of the different birds at the drumming-place resembles a low 

 continuous chorus, and is by no means unj^leasant ; for it may be compared to the 

 song of the Willow- Wren whilst a strong wind is sighing amongst the branches 

 of the forest-trees. 



" As soon as a couple of males approach each other they commence to fight, 

 slashing each other feebly with their wings ; but the combat does not last long. 

 Whilst drumming they are not shy, and may be approached to within a few paces 

 before they fly up ; and even then they settle down again directly, and after a 

 minute or two recommence proceedings ; nor does the report of a gun seem to 

 occasion much alarm. They drum during rainy weather, but seem to prefer clear, 

 bright nights. During the darkest portion of the night they break up the ' Spil,' 

 to recommence operations as soon as it becomes a little lighter. It is curious 

 that the bird should have the power of uttering a song or a succession of notes so 

 well developed, when during the rest of the year it is nearly dumb ; for it only 

 utters a harsh alarm-note when suddenly flushed, and has no regular call-note. 



" The eggs of the Double Snipe, which, like those of its allies, are four in 

 number, are deposited in June. It makes no regular nest, but the eggs are laid 

 on a few grass bents in a mere depression in the soil, close to a tussock or under 

 a small bush ; and the bird sits so close that it will not leave its eggs until nearly 

 trodden on, and will then return to the nest directly the intruder has left its 

 immediate vicinity. As soon as the young are hatched they can run, and at once 

 leave the nest." 



Mr. Howard Saunders gives the following description of the eggs of this 

 species*: — " As a rule they are of a pale oHve-grey or stone-buff with pale purplish 

 underlying blotches, and bold purplish-brown surface-markings, this colour being 

 unmistakable and characteristic ; but at times there is a greenish tint which 

 renders it difficult to distinguish them from some eggs of Machetes pugnax, to 



* Tarrell's ' History of British Birds,' 4tli edition, vol. iii. edited by H. Saunders, p. 338. 



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