THE SNIPE. 327 



footsteps as we wander cautiously along. Suddenly, 

 however, we flush the Snipe from his hiding-place 

 amongst the reeds. Silently, though swiftly as a meteor, 

 he dashes still further into the morass, to escape our 

 sight and seek safety in its deepest solitudes. Here, 

 then, we have a bird who prefers this silent lonely marsh 

 to the richer lands, who delights rather to live amongst 

 its dank vegetation than in the richest of our pastures. 

 And why ? The Snipe knows full well that, aided by 

 his long beak, he can find abundant food amongst its 

 oozy soil, and at the same time keep in comparative 

 safety, for his plumage harmonises closely with the 

 colours of his reedy haunt, and in the seclusion which he 

 loves. 



By far the greater number of Snipes leave us in the 

 spring and retire northwards to breed, yet in the upland 

 districts they may be found breeding in suitable places 

 in tolerable numbers. 



Until the beginning of April the male Snipe is a bird 

 but rarely seen, preferring rather to run and skulk amongst 

 the vegetation than take wing, unless absolutely com- 

 pelled. But no sooner does the sun begin to make his 

 power felt, and moorland and pasture alike assume their 

 vernal vestures, than we see the Snipe ascending into the 

 air, uttering his strange and pleasant notes. After attain- 

 ing the zenith of his flight, he will descend on rapidly 

 moving pinions, causing the strange humming sound 

 known as 'bleating.' These flights occur at intervals 

 until he finds a mate, although even when the eggs are 

 deposited, and the female sitting upon them, he will 

 often mount the air to a great elevation and fly in circles 

 over his reedy haunts below. 



The home of the Snipe is built in various situations. 

 Sometimes it is found amongst the coarse grass or 



