208 THE FOWLER IN IRELAND. 



out ; if water be put near, the bird will run to wash 

 its bill, but will rarely be seen to drink. 



Within a week of a frost Snipe and Cock are 

 always in the best condition. Nature then favours 

 them, for the worms, that in a frost retire deep into 

 the soil, come close to the surface in a thaw, and 

 afford the hungry birds an unlimited supply of 

 food. 



Though Snipe may be very scarce there is 

 always some particular spot they seem to fancy. It 

 may be but a bunch of wet grass, or a tiny reed- 

 grown puddle. Day after day I have shot a Snipe 

 in such a place and never flushed but one from it, 

 yet there again will another be found the next 

 morning in the same haunt, and so on through the 

 winter. Both Snipe and Cock have a curious habit 

 in fine weather of lying on their sides with one 

 wing partially expanded, as if in enjoyment of the 

 genial air. They both vary also extremely in colour 

 and size. I have seen them of various shades of 

 buff-brown and yellowish-white. A Cock in the 

 possession of Lord Gormanston is a perfect albino, 

 with pink legs and feet. 



Dr. Birkitt has a Common Snipe stuffed that 

 weighed five and a half ounces. I have weighed 

 several of five, and some as little as three ounces. 

 Mr. Ussher tells me he received one in 1879 that 

 weighed six ounces; its length nf in. 



There are still in Ireland many wild districts, 

 little kingdoms in size, where Snipe are every year 

 fairly abundant, and which the smart-clad, money- 

 scattering sportsman has happily not yet invaded, 

 where the active, willing peasant, with his traditions 



