198 SYNOPSIS AND ALPHABETICAL INDEX 
bleating of a goat or lamb. Hence also called * moor, 
or heather lamb, or bleater.’ It rises to a great height, 
descends suddenly towards the earth (nest or female), 
and it is then the noise is made. Distinguish the jack 
snipe (which see) and the double, great, or solitary 
snipe, and also the summer snipe (sandpiper). Found : 
See above. Habits: Cannot perch. If approached ~ 
squats and is invisible (its plumage, too, is like sur- 
roundings), then rises suddenly. Will pitch again at 
varying distances, but if alarmed flies far away, or may 
return to almost same spot after a long tour. Alights 
rapidly and in a slanting direction. Usually alone 
(except at nesting time), or only a few found together ; 
but in cold weather and on migration large numbers 
may be found in the same spot (probably attracted by 
a favourable feeding ground), but they may be soon gone 
again. Some (not many) remain in this country for 
breeding. Many migrants arrive from the Continent 
in October andleavein March. Flight: Erratic (zigzag) 
on first rising. The crescentic shape of the wings, 
erratic flight, and alarmed note on rising, once seen and 
heard are not easily forgotten. May take a tour of 
many miles, and high up, before settling again—hence 
name ccelestis, Lat., celum, heaven (sky). Length: 104 
inches to 1 foot. Note: (See above), and if alarmed a 
wild 2chee-a, Rchee-a or ‘ cheek-a, cheek-a’ on rising. 
It calls or pipes to mate during nesting time, always 
