THE SNIPE. 



165 



young in the deep marshy tracts or reedy districts of the 

 fen countries, where they are defended from all common 

 injuries, and are safe from every prying eye ; and rarely, 

 perhaps never, are two of them found together, except 

 at the breeding season. When the frosts of winter 

 drive them from their covert in these watery tracts, they 

 separate, and seek for food in a little lonely open spring, 

 trickling from the side of a hill, tangled wdth grass and 

 foliage, or some shallow rushing streamlet in a retired 

 valley. To this spot the solitary bird becomes much 

 attached ; nor will the repeated firing of the sportsman 

 drive him in fear from his place. 



