124 SNIPE. 



Snipe, too, are not always easy to see, as they rise amongst the 

 reeds, and were it not for the unmistakable warning call they usually 

 give, far fewer birds would be brought to bag. 



Thus the man who wishes to make good bags of snipe, besides 

 being a good shot, must be as resourceful as his quarry is erratic. 

 He must be prepared to change his tactics with the hour and the wind, 

 and must have at his back considerable experience and knowledge of 

 the game he is after. 



For the beginner a cool head and straight eye will do much, but he 

 will be beaten time after time by the unexpected and unfamiliar shots 

 presented to him, and he will find that it is only by dint of the careful 

 study of his quarry, much practice, and the exercise of considerable 

 resourcefulness that he will ultimately excel in snipe shooting. 



Perhaps the following reliable tips may be of use to him: 



1. A snipe going away is invariably on the rise, therefore aim 

 high ; when fairly on the move its speed is considerable, therefore aim 

 well in front. 



2. Never walk into the sun, for as well as being more or less 

 blinded, one is rendered more conspicuous to the birds. By walking 

 away from the sun the birds become more conspicuous as they rise, 

 and the sportsmen considerably less so. 



3. As a general rule walk down wind, but be ready to change 

 if it is found that the birds are getting up too far ahead. 



4. Always take your time when aiming : snap shooting is liable 

 to prove disastrous to the beginner. 



5. Unless one has a good retriever, No. 8 or even heavier shot 

 should be used ; for though one is more likely to hit with No. 9 shot, 

 the birds are not so likely to be killed on the spot, and often drop at 

 considerable distances and are hard to find. 



In North China, which is one of the best countries in the world for 

 snipe, we have four common species which go by that name, viz. the 

 lesser pintail snipe (Gaillinago stenura), Swinhoe's pintail snipe 

 (G. megala), the common snipe (G. media) and the painted snipe 

 (Rynchea capensis). 



Of these the last is not a true snipe, but is more nearly related to 

 the rails, and belongs to a genus of its own (Ryncltea). It is about 

 the size of the snipe, and is very much the same shape. It is very 

 differently coloured, however, being more handsomely marked, from 

 which fact it derives its name. What makes this bird somewhat 

 unique is the fact that the female is more richly coloured than the 

 male, a characteristic, the reverse of which is the rule with most 

 other species of birds where there is a difference in the plumage of 



