3l8 REPTILES AND BIRDS. 



In Brittany, some years ago, Woodcocks were so common that 

 the inhabitants were in the habit of catching them with nets in the 

 following singular way : Two men went out together at night, one 

 carrying a lantern, the other a small net fastened at the end of a pole. 

 They proceeded to those parts of the woods where deer had been 

 grazing, as such localities are always favourite haunts of this bird, on 

 account of their finding worms and insects among that quadruped's 

 droppings. When the Woodcock was discovered, the light from the 

 lantern was suddenly thrown on the bird, which, dazzled with its 

 brilliancy, allowed itself to be entrapped. 



A similar method to the above was practised by negroes on the 

 Southern plantations of the United States, with this difference 

 instead of a net only a club was used for their destruction. Often 

 the slaughter of a successful night amounted to hundreds. The 

 American Woodcock is scarcely as large as the European bird, but 

 it is none the less sought after. 



The Woodcock is a delicious article of food, from its exquisite 

 flavour and piquancy; it in consequence holds the highest rank 

 among game in the eyes of the epicure. 



The Snipe much resembles the Woodcock, but is smaller, with 

 longer tarsi. It is also different in its habits. It haunts marshes 

 and fens, feeding on grubs sometimes even on aquatic plants. It 

 travels during the night as well as in the day, generally preferring 

 stormy damp weather for performing its migrations. 



The Snipe is found in all latitudes in every part of the globe. 

 Some remain the year round in France and Ireland. They make 

 their nests among reeds in muddy, boggy places, difficult of access 

 to both man and beast, in which they lay four or five eggs. The 

 young ones leave the nest as soon as hatched, and are fed by their 

 parents for some time, the want of solidity in their bills not permitting 

 them to bore for their own food. 



The Snipe does not live so solitary a life as the Woodcock ; but is 

 occasionally seen in wisps or flocks. When flushed they utter a 

 shrill cry, which is easily recognised. The migratory birds visit 

 Britain in autumn, coming from the marshes of Poland and Hungary, 

 whither they return in the spring. The best-known species are the 

 Common Snipe (Scolopax gallinago, Fig. 123, 2), the Great Snipe 

 (S. major), the Jack Snipe (S. gallimtla, Fig. 123, i), Sabine Snipe 

 (S. Sabini], and the American variety (S. Wilsonii). 



The Common Snipe is no bigger than a Thrush, and has a bill 

 longer in proportion than the Woodcock. It has on the head two 

 longitudinal black stripes ; the neck and shoulders are blackish, and 



