408 LAND-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS 



time of arrival, but also an equally trying one as to the locality 

 in which the birds may be found. 



Like Woodcock, the Snipe use their long and sensitive bills 

 for probing the mud or soft earth, and the perforations which 

 they make are often tantalizing evidences of their recent occu- 

 pation of the grounds ; but, unlike them, they are usually, 

 though not invariably, found and shot in the " open." Like 

 Woodcock, again, they are nocturnal birds, though the modified 

 arrangement and structure of their eyes enable them to show 

 greater observation and vigilance, to make long flights, and to 

 feed, as they frequently do, by daylight. 



It is during the season of mating in spring that the actions 

 of the male birds are so remarkable and interesting. Rising 

 in the air to a great height, they dart and twist about with 

 wonderful agility, dropping plumb down from time to time in 

 the midst of these eccentric gyrations, and producing, as they 

 descend, a thrumming noise, possibly caused by forming the 

 wing into a sort of -ZEolian hftirp. The sound is peculiar and 

 unmistakable, resembling somewhat that made by throwing a 

 nail held crosswise in the hand, but it is much louder and more 

 full. It is said that at such times they will sometimes alight 

 temporarily on a tree or fence, but this observation the author 

 has never had the good fortune to verify, though he once saw 

 one alight upon a fence-post for a moment, not, however, dur- 

 ing an " exhibition." 



The Snipe breed in the far North, and return to us in 

 autumn, when they will, if permitted, remain on that ground 

 which is to their liking for several weeks. But though they 

 have been found and shot as early as August, and as late as 

 December, the most favorable time is between September 10th 

 and October 25th, and of this period the last fortnight is the 

 best portion. 



In all the accounts of these birds which are accessible to 

 him, the author finds the ancient, time-honored tradition, that 

 the Snipe always begin their flights by rapid zigzags, so that it 

 behooves the shooter either to fire at the instant when the birds 

 attain the height of their first spring, or to wait till they have 



