SXIPE SIIOOTIXG; CANADA AXD INDIA. 165 



shooting with a pistol loaded with small shot, and that a 

 snipe flying near him he fired at it and brought it down.* 

 A near relative of mine who was snipe shooting in the 

 paddy or rice grounds in India, shot a snipe that was 

 flying low, and killed another that was on the ground. 

 I have understood that snipe shooting in these paddy 

 fields has cost many an Englishman his life, for to 

 have this shooting in perfection the sportsman must 

 expose himself to the scorching rays of a tropical sun, 

 as the snipes then lie like stones. Whilst the head has 

 to bear this intolerable heat his feet and legs are 

 struggling through the mud and water of the rice 

 fields ; but it is a common remark amongst foreigners 

 that in whatever part of the globe Englishmen find 

 themselves, regardless of the consequences or example 

 of the inhabitants, they adhere obstinately to their 

 English habits. The Spaniards and Portuguese say 

 that only Englishmen and dogs are seen walking about 

 the streets in the heat of the day, whilst they are en- 

 joying their siesta. 



* The Earl of Kintore's gamekeeper, Alexander Strachan, killed six 

 snipes, all on the wing, at one shot ; and the same individual, some 

 time since, shot an otter and a fox, right and left. 



In the early part of the winter of 1857 the snipe shooting in Not- 

 tinghamshire was more excellent, especially in the valley of the Trent, 

 than it had been for many years. 



