THE SNIPE.] 



SHOOTING, 



[the snipe. 



of the ground, inclined as it is to bog and 

 marsh, suits the one and the other of these 

 birds." On the same subject, the Colonel 

 remarks — "If a sportsman is fond of cock 

 shooting, it will repay him well for his trouble 

 to take a trip to Ireland ; it is not material 

 what part to recommend, as it is impossible 

 almost to go to a bad place for sport. As to 

 asking leave, it is needless ; as the only cause 

 of jealousy that can subsist between the visitor 



and the owner of the ground, will be, for not 

 acquainting him of his coming, in order that he 

 might have had it in his power to receive him 

 in the usual hospitable manner, by providing' 

 beaters to show him sport, giving him the best 

 of fare, a good bottle of claret, a sincere and 

 hearty welcome ; assuring his guest, the longer 

 he stays and honours him with his company, 

 the more welcome he is, and the happier he will 

 make him." 



CHAPTER IX. 



THE SNIPE. 



Snipe shooting can be enjoyed in almost all 

 parts of the kingdom ; but we do not think 

 that it is a sport calculated to be so attractive 

 to the generality of shooters as the pursuit of 

 the game of the mountains and the moors. 

 To many, however, it affords a sufficiency of 

 excitement ; whilst it always secures them as 

 much exercise as will add to their health, and 

 helps to render them cheerful companions 

 whilst sitting at the fireside of their homes. 



There are three different kinds of snipes 

 known to the British sportsman. 



The Great Snipe {Scohpax Major, Linn.) is 

 a comparatively rare bird; the upper portion 

 of its plumage nearly resembling that of the 

 common snipe. The breast, sides, belly, and 

 vent, are white, spotted, barred, and undu- 

 lated with black. Its weight is about eight 

 ounces ; and length sixteen inches. The bill 

 is like the shape of the woodcock's, and about 

 four inches long. The crown of the head is 

 black, and divided down the centre by a pale 

 stripe ; and over and beneath each eye there is 

 another of tlie same colour. The upper parts of 

 the body resemble those of the common snipe; 

 the feathers on the neck, breast, and sides, are 

 edged with a dusky white, and those of the 

 belly spotted with the colour. The middle, 

 however, is quite plain. The quills are dusky, 

 and the tail reddish ; the two middle feathers 

 of which are plain, and tha others barred with 

 560 



black. The legs are black. This bird is not 

 common in England ; but is sometimes found 

 in the counties of Lancaster and Kent. Some 

 designate them the solitarij snipe, from always 

 being found alone. In Germany and Siberia 

 it appears ; and Latham tells us that he saw 

 one among a quantity of birds sent from 

 Cayenne. Snipes are seen throughout the 

 Old Continent, from the Arctic regions to the 

 Cape of Good Hope, wliere they are common. 

 They are also found in the islands of Ceylon 

 and Japan. In America they are almost 

 universally distributed. 



The Common Snipe (^Scolojpax Gallinago, 

 Linn.), or the Heather Snipe, is described as 

 about four ounces in weight, and nearly twelve 

 inches in length. The bill is three inches 

 long, and of a dusky colour; and, in some 

 individual cases, the base is light, flattish, and 

 rough at the ends ; the irides dusky. The 

 crown of the head is black, with a longi- 

 tudinal light rufous line down the middle ; and 

 another line passes from the base of the upper 

 mandible, of the same colour, on each side 

 over the eyes. Between the bill and the eye 

 there is a dusky line. The throat is white ; 

 and the cheeks, neck, and upper breast are 

 mottled with black and light-coloured patches. 

 The back and scapulars are black, barred with 

 brown, and striped with yellowish buff- 

 coloured longitudinal lines. The quills are 



