196 BIRDS OF LA PLATA 



while feeding and are visible from a long distance ; 

 but they become extremely wary, all raising their 

 heads in a very un-Snipe-like manner at the slightest 

 alarm, and taking flight with the readiness of Wild 

 Ducks* These flocks are, however, not often met 

 with* Usually the Snipe is a solitary bird, crouches 

 close when approached, and springs up suddenly 

 when almost trodden on, loudly uttering its sharp 

 scraping alarm-cry ; after rising to a considerable 

 height, flying in a wild erratic manner, it returns 

 suddenly to the earth, often dropping into the grass 

 within twenty yards of the spot it rose from* 



It is indeed curious to see how these habits, char- 

 acteristic of the Snipes all over the world, are so 

 completely laid aside when the birds associate in 

 large flocks* 



Early and late in the day many individuals are 

 usually on the wing engaged in their aerial pastimes, 

 the singular grinding or scythe-whetting sounds 

 caused by their feathers in their violent descent from 

 a great height being distinctly audible at a distance 

 of nearly a mile. It is heard throughout the winter 

 at all hours of the day in mild, damp weather, and 

 on moonlight nights often until after midnight* 



