365 



THE SNIPE. (Scolopax gallinago.) 



" The Snipe flies screaming from the marshy verge, 

 And towers in airy circles o'er the wood ; 

 Still heard at intervals ; and oft returns, 

 And stoops as bent to alight ; then wheels aloft 

 With sudden fear, and screams and stoops again, 

 Her favourite glade reluctant to forsake." GISBORNE. ' 



THE SNIPE weighs about four ounces. A pale red line 

 divides the head longways ; the chin under the bill is 

 white ; the neck is a mixture of brown and red ; the 

 lower part of the body is almost all white. The back 

 and wings are of a dusky colour. The flesh is tender,, 

 sweet, and in flavour ranks next to that of the woodcock., 

 Snipes feed especially upon small red worms, and, 

 insects, which they find in muddy and swampy places,, 

 on the banks of rivulets and brooks, and on the clayey 

 margin of ponds. It is said that Snipes remain with us 

 all the summer, and build in moors and marshes, laying 

 four or five eggs ; but most of them are migratory, and, 

 when forced by severe frosts to sheltered springs, are 

 often seen in large flights. Mr. Daniel states that, 

 about thirty years ago, Snipes were so abundant in the 

 fens of Cambridgeshire, that as many were taken in 

 Milton fen, by means of a lark-net, in one night, and by 

 a. single man, as could be contained. in a small hamper. ; 



