132 HABITS OF BIRDS. 



Jack Snipe. 



existing requires it, and a few others, all the feath- 

 ered tribe seem to have a general tendency towards 

 association, either in flocks, family parties, or pairs ; 

 but the individuals of this species pass a large por- 

 tion of their lives retired and alone, two of them 

 being rarely, or, perhaps, never found in company, 

 except in the breeding season.* 



Similar remarks may be applied to the sandpiper 

 (Totanus hypoleucos, TEMMINCK), which is so solita- 

 ry in habit that we have seldom observed two of 

 them together, even during the breeding season; 

 though individuals are very frequently seen trip- 

 ping along the sands by the sides of lakes and riv- 

 ers, in pursuit of water-insects, which they capture 

 by speed of foot, seldom, if ever, taking wing to 

 continue the pursuit, as is often done by their fel- 

 low-hunter the wagtail (Motacilla lotor). We are 

 not aware that they congregate, even during their 

 migrations. 



From the foregoing details of the solitary and 



* Journal of a Naturalist, p. 253. 



