GALLINAGO MEDIA 



85 



It is found in much the same sort of country and ground as 

 GalUnago gallinagn, but is perhaps rather inclined to lie up in 

 thicker cover than does the latter bird. In their diet the Common 

 Snipe and the Great Snipe resemble one another very closely, and 

 an examination of the bills of these two birds will show that this is 

 what we should expect, as in structure and sensitiveness they are 

 much the same. 



Dresser says that its food consists of worms, small slugs, insects 

 and larvse. 



The flight of the Great Snipe is very inferior to that of the 

 Fantail or Pintail Snipe, and more nearly approaches that of the 

 Wood Snipe, though it does not appear to indulge in the curious side 

 movements and sudden final plunge into cover so characteristic of 

 that bird ; still, it is comparatively slow and heavy on the wing and 

 offers an easy shot. 



I can find no record of any day's shooting devoted entirely to 

 this snipe, and when shot it seems invariably to form nierel\- 

 a part of the bag on days when the Common Snipe has been the 

 object of pursuit. 



