THE JACK SNIPE. 



when disturbed ; but this snipe makes little use of 

 its feet, and takes to its wings with such reluctance, 

 from an apparent indolence of disposition, that, 

 could it be seen in the rushes, or tufts of herbage, 

 where it hides, it might be captured by the hand. 

 It leaves us early in the spring. Fond of conceal- 

 ment as this little bird usually is, yet there are 

 times when it is infinitely less so than at others ; 

 and, I think, upon the relenting of a frost, or when 

 there is a tendency to a thaw, it shows unusuaj 

 alacrity, springs from its rushy drain almost as 

 readily as the common snipe, and occasions, for the 

 moment, a doubt of the species. The mandible of 

 this species is of a weak and spongy nature. 



The causes that influence this snipe to lead so 

 solitary a life are particularly obscure, as well as 

 those which stimulate some others to congregate, as 

 we comprehend no individual benefit to arise from 

 such habits. Wild fowl, the rook, and some other 

 birds, derive security, perhaps, from feeding in 

 society, as a sentinel appears to be placed by them 

 at such times to give notice of danger ; but our 

 congregating small birds take no such precaution : 

 security or mutual protection does not seem to be 

 obtained by it, ate the largeness of the flocks invites 

 danger ; and warmth in the winter season it does 

 not afford. For the purposes of migration, such 

 associations are in many respects serviceable and 

 consistent ; but in our resident species, considered 



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