Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 531 



rapid spiral flight, then return to the ground with a sort of boom- 

 ing sound. Then the act would be repeated, accompanied by a 

 peculiar note hard to describe. This was just before dusk of a 

 warmish spring day, and the performance was repeated many 

 times. 



There are a few places near the lake that would furnish almost 

 ideal retreats for this bird. One of the best is a rather deep gully 

 on the east side which is known locally as "the canyon" and which 

 has patches of soft marshy bottom. Another is Green's marsh, 

 and still others the marshy ground at the south end of the lake. 

 The bird is not rare about the lakes of the adjacent county of 

 Kosciusko. 



48. WILSON'S SNIPE 



GALLINAGO DELICATA (Ord) 



This bird, known here as Jack Snipe, is much more common 

 than the woodcock, which it resembles considerably in general 

 habits. 



Our records are as follows: Sept. 29, 1899, one seen on Long 

 Point; about April 7, 1901, 8 or 1.0 killed by a local hunter; April 

 3, 1902, one seen; Oct. 21, 1902, one seen in Green's marsh; Oc- 

 tober 31, Mr. Chadwick says he has seen them in Green's marsh 

 for a month ; Nov. 1, 1902, one seen ; Nov. 2, one or more heard in 

 Green's marsh; Oct. 20, one seen in Green's marsh; Nov. 3, 1904, 

 3 seen, and one or more seen along west side of lake on Nov. 9, 

 13, 15, 20 and 21 following; Oct. 13, 1906, one seen in Hawk's 

 marsh; Oct. 31, 1907, one seen at Norris Inlet; Apr. 23, 1909, one 

 heard. 



In 1913, it was first noted on September 29; 30th, one shot 

 on Long Point. October 3, one seen near the Chadwick cottage; 

 5th, 6th, and 7th, three seen near Chadwick's; 8th, one on Long 

 Point; 9th, one at Norris Inlet; 10th, llth, 12th, and 13th, one 

 noted near Holbrunner's ; 14th, one found dead under a telegraph 

 wire, stomach contained one angleworm ; 16th, 17th, and 21st, seen 

 on Long Point; 22d, two on sandy shore near Holbrunner's; 23d, 

 noted in same place; 26th, two seen ; 28th, several seen. 



The Jack Snipe is usually seen alone, or sometimes 2 or 3 to- 

 gether, on the lake shore. They are one of the most interesting 

 and delicious of American game birds, and there is none more 

 erratic or eccentric. When frightened they rise with a cry and 

 start off with a swift, zigzag flight that tests the skill of the sports- 

 man. They are usually found in low marshy situations. They lie 

 close and are rarely seen until they are up and away. 



