The Sfttpes. 441 



of the Indo-Burmese countries or the 

 Shan States. The shape of the wing 

 indicates it to be a poor flyer, and that 

 the days of its migrations are numbered. 

 I cannot find any note regarding the 

 date on which this bird leaves the plains. 

 In fact, this Snipe is everywhere so un- 

 common that very little is really known 

 about its habits. 



The Wood-Snipe is found in swampy 

 places near the edge of the jungle, often 

 solitary, sometimes in small companies, 

 as mentioned by Captain Baldwin. It 

 rises with a croaking note, flies slowly, and 

 afl'ords a very easy shot. It is probably 

 a nocturnal feeder, and during the day 

 it appears to retire to some quiet shelter, 

 under a bush or tuft of grass, near water. 

 As the result of the examination of the 

 contents of the stomach of several of 

 these Snipes, Mr. Hume is of opinion 

 that they do not feed as much on worms 

 as do the Wood-Cocks. Their food 

 appears to consist more of insects of 

 various kinds. Captain Baldwin states 

 that the Wood-Snipe is a most excellent 

 bird for the table ; but Mr. Ditmas, on 

 the other hand, states that it is much 

 inferior to the Pin-tail in flavour, and the 

 meat coarser in texture. Of the habits 



