THE FIELD. SNIPE-SHOOTING. 245 



commonly, though not correctly, known as the English 

 snipe ; this species being distinctly, though only slightly 

 various from the European fowl of which it bears the 

 name. The distinction was first recorded by Wilson, and 

 consists in a permanent difference of number in the tail 

 feathers, and of some discrepancies in cry and habits. 

 Still the similarity is so great that I was at first inclined 

 to believe the two varieties identical, until longer acquaint- 

 ance with the habits of the American bird has assured 

 me of its decided difference from its transatlantic con- 

 gener. 



This little wader is so generally known to all persons, 

 in all parts of the country, and every where by the same 

 name, that it needs no description ; nor do I profess in 

 this work to enter into details of natural history, which 

 will be more fitly sought in works especially devoted to 

 that subject, or to some more extended sporting books ; as 

 my own, Dr. Lewis's, and the American edition of Col. 

 Hawker's instructive volumes. 



Here I limit myself to explaining briefly to the young 

 sportsman how to hunt for, find, and kill the game in ques- 

 tion in fair and sportsmanlike style. 



In no two States of the Union does the snipe come 

 into season exactly at the same time, as he is every where 

 a migratory bird, shifting his quarters as the facility of 

 obtaining food, which he can only procure in unfrozen 

 marshy grounds, and the necessity of rearing his young, 

 which he can only do in certain northern temperatures 

 and latitudes, and in wild marshy solitudes, induce or 

 compel him to do. 



