172 THE SPORTSMAN IN FRANCE. 



eye, that he usually gets off with a whole 

 skin ; but, on the other hand, if one stray 

 shot hit him, he is done for, by reason of 

 his body being more exposed, and his 

 feathers in this position affording no pro- 

 tection. 



Snipes invariably lie better in warm 

 than cold weather, particularly single 

 birds. In wisps they are generally wild, 

 and, on their first arrival after a flight, 

 are frequently unapproachable. Much 

 will depend upon the goodness and cun- 

 ning of the dog in such cases. 



It is a good plan, in long, high grass, 

 weeds, or rushes, on arriving near the 

 spot where you have killed your bird, to 

 throw down your hat or cap as a guide in 

 searching for it. This precaution, how- 

 ever, is only to be practised when your 

 dog happens to be otherwise engaged on 

 a point elsewhere. 



A curious circumstance occurred to me 



