l6o GAME BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA. 



scarcely visiting our meadows, and directing its flight to its breed- 

 ing grounds. We have ahvays thought the Snipe, after tarrying 

 with us until May, are mated, and leave us in pairs ready to begin 

 nesting. In fact, we have on several occasions killed and found 

 in them fully formed eggs as early as the 20th of April, and for 

 this reason oppose the shooting of Snipe during their spring pas- 

 sage northward. 



On their return from the North with their young, they pay us a 

 visit before moving South, reaching us in September and October, 

 the first cool weather having prompted them to seek winter quar- 

 ters. They make their autumnal migrations southward in stages 

 in advance of hard freezing, stopping and resting on the route. 

 This bird is rarely if ever found on salt meadows, confining itself 

 to the low-lying boggy fields bordering fresh water streams where 

 their favorite food, the succulent worm, is abundant. These are 

 secured by probing with their long bill after the manner of wood- 

 cock. It is very doubtful whether the sense of smell aids at all in 

 determining the presence of their food, as some have averred. The 

 bill is very sensitive, and a bird by probing can feel the worm. 



On the meadows of the Eastern and Middle States, a good dog, 

 thoroughly understanding his business in this particular, is invalu- 

 able ; but in some portions of the Southern and Western country 

 the bird is so numerous that a setter or pointer is of very little use 

 unless he be kept at heel and used as a retriever. 



The Snipe lies best to the dog on warm, sunny days, when 

 gentle winds are blowing, and if feeding in high tussock meadows 

 will not take flight until almost trodden upon. But during blus- 

 tery weather, especially if the wind is from the northeast, they are 

 very loth to allow even the most steady dog to come within thirty- 

 or forty yards of them. This is more noticeable in the spring, 

 when the birds have first arrived, and are in whisps or bunches, 

 than in autumn, when they appear to have made up their minds 

 to stay for awhile previous to moving southward. 



Sometimes, particularly on a dark drizzling day, which is the 

 weather they prefer for their flights, the flushing of one bird will 

 be the signal for every snipe in the field to rise with a sharp 

 " skeap " " skeap," and the air will be filled with their bleating and 

 their irregular flights. Perhaps they join in a flock and fly beyond 



