124 ON THE WING. 



ing. The novice will at first make poor work, both in 

 shooting and marking down this bird. It is notice- 

 able that while some sportsmen can easily drop their 

 Wilson at almost every shot, they will about as often 

 miss their woodcock or quail ; with this exception, 

 however, in their favor, that the former bird is usually 

 killed in open shooting, the reverse being the case 

 with the other game. Almost every sportsman has 

 his favorite game-bird to shoot, and the very fact that 

 he thinks he is sure to kill gives him confidence and 

 success. 



The snipe in the spring is usually poor, but is in 

 fine condition in the fall. I shot a number last fall 

 that were almost as large as medium-sized woodcock ; 

 and in the autumn they much resemble the latter bird. 

 In windy days these birds lie closer than in mild, 

 calm weather, and the dog can make more points at 

 such times. But they are more difficult to kill when 

 the wind is fresh, as their flight is then much more 

 rapid. When they have been followed long, even in 

 mild weather, they will not stand well to the point, and 

 they make wild and extended flights. 



Their sense of hearing is very acute, and, unlike the 

 woodcock, they will not often let the setter or pointer 

 make very close visits. On this account it sometimes 

 happens that, when snipe are abundant, the sports- 

 man, in company with a friend, can make a larger 

 bag, and with greater ease, by leaving his dogs 

 Dash and Trip at home, than by taking them with 

 him. 



This bird is a remarkable barometer, for at about 



