SNIPE, AND SNIPE-SHOOTING. 



BY THOMAS C. ABBOTT (" RECAPPEK"). 



ROTHER sportsman, are you a snipe-shooter? 

 If not, perhaps before trying the sport it were 

 well to know a little of the natural his- 

 tory of the bird. He is a great traveler. 

 Coues' " Birds of the Northwest" 

 says: "Throughout the greater 

 part of the United States the 

 snipe is found only during the mi- 

 grations, and in winter. It breeds, 

 however, in Northern New England, and may 

 do so along other portions of our northern border, 

 though I have not so determined. It occurs in South 

 America, Central America, Mexico, and the West 

 Indies." Other authorities tell us that they breed 

 from Nova Scotia to Virginia; that they breed at times 

 in New Jersey, I feel pretty sure. Formerly it was the 

 custom to shoot them during their spring migration, but 

 I am glad to be able to say that this custom is now for- 

 bidden by law in most of the States. I can not refrain 

 from saying here that the practice of spring shooting of 

 any winged game was a most barbarous one, born of 

 ignorance, and continued through thoughtlessness. That 

 it is so fast being put down, is due to the fearless, perse- 

 vering energy of one man, and that man is Dr. N. Rowe, 

 editor of the American Field. 



In the hunting for and shooting of other winged game, 

 if the sportsman is a good shot, and has dogs of fair 



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