WILSON SNIPE. 239 



haunt is their principal breeding-ground, although occasion- 

 ally a nest may be found much further to the south ; but 

 in such instances T have been induced to believe that either 

 the male or the female bird had met with an accident, and 

 thus been prevented following the migration of his or her 

 companions. What a beautiful lesson all may learn from 

 this ! how it should speak home to the human heart, this 

 attachment of the mate, who, sooner than desert a com- 

 panion, forsakes for the time being his whole race, save 

 one, and foregoes even following the journey almost 

 necessary to life ! 



In Southern Illinois, where I had the greatest amount 

 of experience in killing this game, the advance heralds of 

 migration generally arrived about the JOth of March. 

 Much, of course, depended upon whether the winter was 

 late or otherwise ; but if a thaw had taken place, and a 

 moist southerly wind had been blowing over-night, the 

 ground that yesterday you had tramped over in pursuit of 

 wild duck without seeing a single snipe, on the morrow 

 -would harbour thousands. Their journey being a con- 

 tinuation of short flights, they are seldom out of condition 

 on arrival ; and as they do not take up a permanent resi- 

 dence, little compunction is felt in shooting them. Out of 

 the large number that I have brought to bag, I do not 

 remember a single instance of an egg, or other indication 

 that pairing had taken place The prairies of this state 

 (Illinois) are generally burned late in the fall, or early in 

 spring, to improve the succeeding year's grazing, leaving 

 the surface of the soil entirely denuded of grass, except 

 where moisture has prevented the burning taking effect. 



