230 STAltLING. 



To kill./adk-snipes, a pointer that will stand them is 

 the greatest possible acquisition, as they always lie so 

 very close that you are liable to walk past them. These 

 little snipes are easiest killed in a light breeze, or even 

 calm weather, as in a gale of wind they fly more like 

 butterflies than birds. Nothing teases a poking shot 

 worse than jack-snipes; but to one who has the knack 

 of pitching and firing his gun in one motion, they are, 

 generally speaking, not much worse to shoot than other 

 small birds, except in boisterous weather. 



The jack-snipes are the best eating of all the tribe. 



The " old hand" therefore keeps the jack for his own 

 eating, and sends the fine-looking full snipe to his friend. 

 As with pheasants, the lien is the best on the table; 

 the cock the prettiest bird for a present. 



STARLING, or STARE. Sturnus vulgaris L'etour- 

 neau. 



The time to shoot starlings by wholesale is just be- 

 fore the dusk of the evening, when they come down to 

 roost among the reeds. Here they assemble in swarms, 

 that darken the air; and, for some time, keep up a 

 chatter, which even surpasses that of Frenchmen in 

 their warmest political debates. 



Having swept down some dozens with your duck- 

 gun, let their heads be immediately pulled off; as this 

 will, in a great degree, prevent their having a hitter 

 taste. 



Starlings are very good when stewed with rice, or 

 made into a curry. 



Before I conclude under the head of Starlings, I must 

 ask leave to become my own trumpeter, in order to name 

 a shot that I made at these birds, which will give some 

 idea as to the manner in which they swarm together : 



