SNIPE SHOOTING. 43 



had regularly bred for many years. Although 

 then anxious to obtain a closer insight into the 

 habits of these solitary and retiring birds, which, 

 despite the observations of ornithologists, are 

 still involved in a certain degree of mystery, we, 

 of course, abandoned our investigations on the 

 receipt of this intelligence, and summoning 

 Czar, who was in fine health and spirits, doubt- 

 less anticipating work, set off at once for the 

 city, and dropped into Krider's on the morning 

 of the succeeding day. 



Our arrangements were soon made, and well 

 aware that, should the wind haul to the north- 

 west, with a lowering sky, this flight of birds 

 would leave the low grounds on the river, and 

 seek shelter inland, we took the cars to Wil- 

 mington, intending to cross the Delaware to 

 Pennsgrove, if possible, on the same afternoon. 



On the road down we will, with the reader's 

 permission, give a brief account of the game 

 which we were in quest of, and of the descrip- 

 tion of dog, whether rough or smooth, most to 

 be preferred in following in this exciting sport. 



It may not be altogether superfluous to remind 

 the general reader, that there is but one species 

 of snipe, known to our sportsmen, which will lie 

 to, and can be hunted with dogs. This is the 



