270 OUTDOOR LIFE IN ENGLAND 



These three varieties of snipe severally measure 

 as follows, viz. : 



The great or solitary, 1 1^ inches. 

 The common or full, io|- inches. 

 The jack, 7^ inches. 



Apart from size, the differences between these 

 three birds are very distinguishable. The plumage 

 of the solitary snipe is more sombre than that of the 

 common snipe, and the belly is barred to the vent, the 

 breast and belly of the common snipe being pure 

 white. The back of the jack snipe is the most 

 brilliant in colour ; the bill is much shorter, and it 

 is altogether a less slender and graceful bird than 

 either of the other two varieties. 



A snipe is essentially an aristocrat among birds. 

 He is cleanly in his diet, graceful in shape, and, I 

 think I may add, the very best of all birds to eat. 

 He is a thorough gentleman, and affords more 

 real sport to the gunner than any other bird I 

 know. Some of the very happiest days of my life 

 have been spent in tramping over the Irish bogs 

 alone with a good setter, snipe-shooting. There 

 is always so much satisfaction in knocking a snipe 

 over ; he is so worthy a quarry, and not the 

 worst that can be said of him is that he is not 

 heavy to carry. A fair-sized hare-pocket will 

 hold a great many couple of snipe, and it is 

 possible to travel over miles of country, enjoy ex- 

 cellent sport, and dispense with the services of an 

 attendant. Snipe-shooting is one of the most 



