94 SHOOTING. 



CHAPTER. X. 



SNIPE SHOOTING. 



"The snipe is hardly ever found 

 In woods, he's fond of open ground ; 

 The rushy pond, the quiet brook. 

 But chiefly to the marshes look; 

 Tlie splasliy heath, and boggy moor 

 Yield frequently an ample^store: 

 Stick to them well when this the case is, 

 They very quickly change their places ; 

 To-day the sportsman can pursue 

 The numerous game till all is blue, 

 To-morrow he goes out again, 

 But mayn't a tingle shot obtain ; 

 Affeci ed by the wind and weather, 

 They often flock away togetlier ; 

 Sometimes they to the hill repair, 

 Eisiiig in wisps all wildly there ; 

 Vain the pursuit; but if a gale 

 Should quickly from the east prevail. 

 Or even from the boisterous north. 

 Again you ought to sally forth."— Watt. 



Snipe shooting is one of the most lively amusements in which a 

 sportsman can indulge. It can be enjoyed in almost all parts oj 

 the kingdom ; and though it does not bring so much grist to the milt 

 nor replenish the pot so liberally as some other kinds of shooting^^ 

 it makes up for these deficiencies by an increased amount of 

 pleasurable excitement, and healthy and agreeable exercise. 



There are three different kmds of snipes known to the British 

 sportsman. The Great Snipe {Scolopax Major, Linn.) is a com- 

 paratively rare bird. The upper portion of its pkmiage nearly 

 resembles that of the common snipe. The breast, sides, belly, and 

 vent, are white, spotted, barred, and undulated with black'. Its 

 weight is about eight omices, ana length sixteen. The bill is hke 

 the shape of the woodcock's, and about four inches long. The 

 crown of the head is black, and divided down the centre by a pale 

 stripe, and over and beneath each eye there is another of the same. 

 The upper parts of the body resemble those of the common snipe; 

 the feathers on the neck, breast, and sides, are edged with a dusky 

 white, and those of the belly spotted with the colour. The middle, 

 however, is quite plain. The quiUs are dusky, and the tail reddish ; 

 the two middle feathers of which are plain, and the others barred with 

 black. The legs are black. This bird is not common in England ; 

 but only occasionally met with, chiefly in the counties of Lancashii-e 

 and Kent. Some designate them the solitary snipe, from always 

 being found alone. The bird is found in Germany and Siberia. 



The Common Snipe {Scolopax Galli?iago, Linn!) or the Heather 



