Wilson's snipe. 195 



no unusual thing, after the harvest of rice, to sit quietly in one place 

 a-nd shoot a large basketful of them in the course of a few hours. 

 Snipes are equally esteemed in all parts of the world where they 

 are known, and the richness and delicacy of their flesh may be 

 considered as second alone to that of the woodcock ; we need not 

 add, therefore, that hunting them is a favorite pastime with the 

 American sportsman. 



VARIETIES. 



There are several game-varieties of snipes known in the Old 

 World, and all equally sought after by sportsmen ; there are also 

 many species in our own country, but only one that attracts much 

 attention from our shooters. In Russia there is a large snipe which 

 occasionally wanders as far as England, and is known there, we 

 believe, as the horseman's snipe, from its superior size and fine 

 appearance. This bird affords much sport to the Russian noblesse, 

 as well as a savory dish for their tables. The double, or solitary 

 snipe, (Scolopax major,) although quite rare in England, is very 

 common in Sweden ; it is nearly twice as large as the common 

 snipe, and offers attractive amusement to the inhabitants of that 

 .country, who pursue field-sports with as great zest as the sports- 

 men of our own country. The Scolopax gallinago, or English 

 snipe of America, is closely allied to the common snipe of the Old 

 "World ; it resembles it in plumage, size, and habits ; a little differ- 

 ence, perhaps, may be conceded to the latter variety in point of 

 weight. The observant Wilson, in his usual style of close investi- 

 gation, discovered a very marked distinction between the English 

 and American bird; and, in consideration of this discovery, Tem- 

 minck and other European naturalists have very justly dedicated 

 the American snipe to this distinguished ornithologist, by bestow- 

 ing upon it the title of Scolopax Wilsonii, or Wilson's snipe, — a 

 compliment not less deserved than generously awarded. Wilson 

 states that the American snipe has the same soaring, irregular 

 flight in the air, during gloomy weather, as the snipe of Europe; 

 the same bleating note and occasional rapid descent ; springs from 



