Minor British Game Birds. 161 



of grass and equisetum not at all woven together, 

 with a few old leaves of the dwarf birch, placed 

 in a dry sedgy or grassy spot close to more open 

 swamp." 



At one time snipe were commonly taken in 

 " panties" made of twisted horsehair. These 

 were set about three inches from the ground, 

 and snipe and teal were mostly taken in them. 

 In preparing the snares the fowler trampled a 

 strip of oozy ground, until, in the darkness, it 

 had the appearance of a narrow plash of water. 

 The birds were taken as they went to feed in 

 ground presumably containing food of which 

 they were fond. 



