HABITS OF SNIPE. 199 



many Snipe lay within a few square yards, and, 

 though gifted with excellent sight, could rarely see 

 one. A few steps nearer and a " wisp " of ten or 

 twelve would rise screaming. On one occasion 

 I brought a powerful glass to bear on such a spot 

 at a distance of some thirty paces. I could then 

 count seven, some standing hunchbacked and 

 motionless, others squatted on the dried grass, 

 looking no bigger than mice or frogs. On flinging 

 a stone at the spot, this time at least fifteen sprang. 

 The next visit I paid was with a gun, when I fired 

 on chance, guessing their position, and killed five, 

 though I saw none. The peasantry and fowlers, 

 by constant practice, bag many Snipe during frost 

 by creeping up to the springs. They admit, how- 

 ever, that it is usual to kill more than they see when 

 pulling trigger. These men also wait in conceal- 

 ment near the wet places where Snipe feed, and 

 shoot them singly as they come. On moonlight 

 nights, their plan is to put a white feather into the 

 ground, in a favourite spot the birds are known to 

 frequent, and when Snipe alight they fire a dose of 

 the smallest shot at the mark, now and then obtain- 

 ing two or three of those feeding near. The move- 

 ments of Snipe are more influenced by the moon 

 than might be supposed. Though they will be 

 found in plenty during the time of bright nights, 

 as the moon wanes their numbers diminish daily in 

 their usual haunts. In many districts, when the 

 nights are dark, the local shooters consider it a waste 

 of time to seek them by day. As most shooters 

 know, on dark nights, though Snipe live partly by 

 suction, they cannot always obtain food as if it were 



