70 GAME-BIBDS OF INDIA 



The biggest bag, to which I can find any reference, made in 

 Southern India or Ceylon, was obtained by Mr. George Eice on the 

 16th February, 1893, when this gentleman succeeded in bringing to 

 bag no less than 103i couple of snipe to his own gun, his previous 

 best day having been 63-^- couple shot on March the 14th the previous 

 year. In all probability nearly all these were Pintail. 



Such bags as these have never fallen to my lot, but I once had 

 the luck to come across the birds in such numbers that though I was 

 not on the ground until 3'30, I had to stop before 5, having run out 

 of cartridges. On this occasion the bag consisted of twenty-six couple 

 of snipe and 3i couple of quail, and the cartridges expended numbered 

 seventy-nine. The ground was mud and water of only a few inches 

 in depth and the walking was ideal, but the paddy was very long, and 

 we lost a few birds in it. 



I have often been asked whether it is better to shoot at snipe 

 directly they rise or to wait until the twistings cease and the bird 

 gets straight on the wing. Probably the best way to shoot is that 

 which suits each individual best. I have seen equally good shots 

 amongst both types of performers, and do not think the preference 

 can be given to either style. Mr. Cornish knocked his birds over 

 so quickly that to the looker-on it appeared as if he must have 

 spotted them before they rose. My father, on the contrary, was 

 a slow shot and let them get well away before firing, yet as regards 

 their second barrels, there was nothing to choose between them. 

 Mr. Dods, who is probably the finest snipe shot in Eastern India 

 at present, I believe lets his birds get well on the wing before 

 shooting. 



The ordinary call of the snipe is, as everyone knows, a single 

 note which has been described in many ways, but may be syllabized 

 as peuch, pronounced sharply with a nasal twang. In the breeding 

 season, however, the snipe makes a sound, called either drumming 

 or bleating, which was for a long time a subject of keen discussion. 



Dr. P. H. Bahr (in loc. cit.) has written a long and most interest- 

 ing article on the manner in which this sound is produced, and has 

 conclusively proved that it is made by the tail feathers. 



The following is an extract which he has kindly given me 

 permission to take : — 



