322 EMPLOYMENT OF THE DOG IN HUNTING, ETC. 



good sign that lie is hit hard. If his legs drop, he is mortally 

 wounded, and will never fly far. 



" In some marshes snipes are very wild, rising in wisps, before 

 you can come within range. This generally occurs when the 

 ground is wet, and the birds are sitting upon the little hillocks 

 above the water. In such cases the dog should be tied up, and 

 the sportsman ought to walk them up alone. If this does not 

 succeed, the only chance left is to stand (under cover if possible) 

 at the windward end of the bog, and send the attendant in to 

 leeward, with directions to make as little noise as possible ; by 

 this means a few shots may be obtained, and you will have an 

 opportunity of, perhaps, marking some of the birds down in more 

 favourable ground. At all events, there is the chance of meeting 

 them when scattered through the country. 



" Many an old Irish sportsman will smile at the idea of any 

 person giving directions for finding snipe. Until the last few 

 seasons they have been so numerous, that all he had to do was 

 to walk into the first marsh and blaze away until the light failed, 

 or his ammunition was expended. What with severe and long- 

 continued frosts, however, drainage, and other 'dreadful inven- 

 tions of science,' as one of your correspondents terms agricultural 

 improvements, we are not (except in a few happily situated Al- 

 satias) so sure of a good bag as we were : it may, therefore, be 

 worth the shooter's while to study the habits of these birds. In- 

 deed, every sportsman ought to be something of a ' field natural- 

 ist,' as it gives him an additional enjoyment in his favourite 

 sport. 



