WILSONS SNIPE. 121 



WILSON'S SNIPE. (Scolopax Wilsonii.) 



THIS migratory bird is well known in this coun- 

 try, and is also found in other parts^ of the 

 world. It is much sought for by epicures, being by 

 some preferred to the woodcock. 



Snipe make their appearance in the New-England 

 States about the first of May, coming from the South 

 in pairs, and can then be found in their marshy feed- 

 ing-grounds, which are their temporary homes, before 

 they wisp themselves off to Canada, or other northern 

 breeding-places. 



Many localities afford fine shooting of these birds in 

 the fall and spring ; and as snipe are a kind of go-be- 

 tween for inland shooting, coming on in the spring 

 before any other game-bird can be shot, and often 

 remaining quite late in the fall, they furnish, in the 

 proper localities, and under certain circumstances, 

 very excellent sport. 



Snipe, however, are very uncertain birds to find. 

 With favorable weather, and at the proper season, the 

 gun can be made lively ; while at other times, with the 

 best apparent prospect of filling the game-bag, nothing 

 but their chalks and borings can be found. 



The Wilson snipe is a bird of very rapid flight, and 

 is capable of making as many, if not more, curves and 

 angles on the wing, than any other game-bird which 

 6 



