SNIPE SHOOTING 325 
The books teach that the snipe rises with a zigzag 
flight against the wind, darting to right and left with 
such rapid flashes of speed that the best of skilful 
sportsmen are puzzled, and consequently make many 
a miss. 
The snipe, it is true, goes against the wind when 
there is a wind, and zigzags a few times to rise up- 
ward before taking a straight course. Many writers 
on snipe shooting lay it down as correct that the 
shooter, to take advantage of this peculiarity in ris- 
ing, should walk down wind, or advance to the dog’s 
point down wind, so that when the snipe is flushed 
it will fly toward him. All such teachings savor of 
the novice, or of a skill which needs nursing. All 
the difficulties are greatly exaggerated, zigzag, swift 
flight and all. The zigzag of the snipe a-wing is in 
the beginning of its flight, and nothing is easier than 
to wait a moment till it straightens out on a straight 
flight. Then the killing is a matter of shooting on 
the wing, similar to other wing shooting. 
As to walking down wind to secure a better shot, 
the sportsman need not concern himself about it in 
the least, excepting perhaps on such days as are cold, 
and days when the birds are very wild and rise at the 
extreme range of the gun. As with pigeon shooting, 
the really good shot does not let his birds get far if 
they rise within range. Whether they zigzag or not, 
he snaps them as soon as they are on the wing; or 
being well on the wing, he permits them to get into 
steady flight, and then delivers his fire. There is on 
