62 GAME-BIRDS OF INDIA 



far greater extent from the west than the east, and it would appear 

 that eastern birds do not as a rule penetrate so far south as the 

 western. A certain number of Fantails do yearly come into India 

 via the great rivers of the east, such as the Dihong, Dibong, 

 Brahmaputra and Irrawaddy, but a far greater number come via the 

 western rivers and passes. 



As a matter of fact it is not at present at all certain whether in 

 their annual migrations snipe, either Fantail or Pintail, do make use 

 of the great water-ways and, personally, I am rather inclined to 

 believe that such is not the case. Were it so we should expect to 

 find snipe on their first arrival most numerous in those swamps and 

 rice-fields which are situated close to the exits of the big rivers from 

 the hills ; but they are not so found, and though I have served some 

 twenty-five years in the hills and plains of Assam, my experience 

 goes to prove the contrary. Thus during the seasons of migration 

 snipe are comparatively common in the Khasia Hills wherever there 

 are swamps over 5,000 feet. These hills are situated on the south 

 bank of the Brahmaputra, and all these birds must have come 

 straight across the river instead of working along it, and thus skirting 

 the hills. In the North Cachar Hills, I repeatedly found snipe 

 passing the day on lofty peaks, arriving before daybreak and leaving 

 in the dusk of the evening. Every year in August and in March and 

 April snipe were to be found on the Guilang Peak, lying up in the 

 ditch which surrounded the small Fort, this peak being almost 4,000 

 feet high. At Hangrum, over 6,000 feet, the same thing occurred, 

 and once in early August snipe were found absolutely swarming in 

 some scrub jungle on a hill slope just outside the rest-house. The 

 birds were very thin and very tired, and so loath to rise that they 

 were easily killed with dust shot and half charges of powder. Again 

 all through the Assam Valley snipe appear to work due north and 

 south and not east and west along the course of the Brahmaputra, 

 and it seems probable that in migration snipe and many other waders 

 instead of following the courses of the great rivers work straight 

 across them, from one range to another. 



The Fantail Snipe seldom arrives in India until August has 

 well advanced, and even then it will only be found in the extreme 

 north. By early September it has worked as far south as Central 



