156 O'er Crag and Torrent 



and when shot most truly delicious to eat. 

 The very sight of him nicely cooked on a 

 piece of toast creates a longing within you to 

 make him your own, and part and particle of 

 yourself. I can almost fancy I hear someone 

 say, " What a gourmand that fellow is." As 

 a matter of fact, I'm not; but will anyone 

 deny that a snipe properly cooked cooked 

 the same day he's shot, mind is simply 

 exquisite ? However, we must shoot our 

 wee friend before we can eat him. My dear 

 brother, who lately in company with so many 

 other gallant fellows gave up his life for his 

 Queen and country, used to stay with me as 

 much as he could in Ireland, and as I then 

 resided within easy reach of a large extent of 

 exceptionally good snipe ground, we had 

 many successful days after the long bills. 



A limited number of the common or full 

 snipe (Gallinago media) used to breed with 

 us, but the majority, like the little jack 



