132 GAME-BIRDS OF INDIA 



in the fields, but to make their nests in the ditches instead of in the 

 swamps as would be expected. 



The Painted Snipe is a strong, sturdy walker, and when, as is 

 often the case, it inhabits cane brakes, beds of reeds or extensive 

 jungle, it will often run great distances when it alights after being 

 flushed. It is also an excellent swimmer, and I once saw an 

 un wounded bird, disturbed by the near approach of a line of shooters, 

 slip into a wide ditch of clear water and swim to the opposite side. 

 Wounded birds have often been seen to swim either to escape 

 capture or when shot at and dropped in open water. Legge 

 also, quoting Layard, writes about two young Painted Snipe : 

 " On his giving chase, the chicks took to the water and swam 

 like ducklings." 



Finn in his ' Indian Waders ' has much to tell us of interest 

 about this bird in captivity, and his remarks must be quoted at 

 length. He writes : — 



" I have kept many and found them not very lovable pets. The 

 words used by Palgravo to describe the camel's character will de- 

 scribe the ' Painter ' exactly, ' never tame, but not wide-awake 

 enough to be exactly wild.' I once even reared a half-fledged young 

 bird and got no further towards conciliating it than I did with adults. 

 Yet these will let one pick them up with far less trouble than much 

 tamer birds would give. In captivity can be studied with advantage 

 the curious display by which the species seeks to terrorize an enemy. 

 When slightly alarmed, it raises the wing furthest from the intruder ; 

 if pressed, this wing is fully expanded, while in desperation the bird 

 faces its adversary with both wings and tail spread so that their 

 beautiful spotted markings are fully shown. Meanwhile, a hissing or 

 swearing note, like hot iron plunged into water, is given off. The 

 similarity of this last attitude to that adopted by owls when on 

 defence is very striking, and I believe the Painted Snipe is at 

 least as nocturnal as most owls, judging from the behaviour of 

 captive specimens. Like owls, also, this bird has a singularly ex- 

 pi'essive countenance. When in its ordinary diurnal attitude, crouched 

 against the wall of its prison, with tail up and head down, so as to 

 look as much as possible like a lump of mud, the head-feathers all lie 

 flat, giving their owner a singularly stupid appearance. On the rare 

 occasions, however, when one sees the bird walking about at ease, 

 the feathers over the eyes are raised so as to be higher than the 

 crown, which gives quite a wide-awake expression. In moving about 

 thus, the bead is carried high, and the bird looks tall and graceful 



