ii2 WILD-FOWL AND SEA-FOWL OF GREAT BRITAIN 



The Snipe are voracious feeders in their way, so 

 they soon get in first-rate order again. They visit 

 the tide in numbers. Some nights we have gone 

 down when it was dark, but clear no moon and 

 have seen them shoot over the creek, "scape, skep- 

 skep-scaping " their loudest when they caught sight 

 of us waiting for them on the saltings. Some 

 stopped behind for us to look at ; for the spaniel 

 was with us to find them when they dropped. But 

 more went on not touched. It is a little difficult to 

 judge distances rightly at night. 



The birds vary in size and colouring. One 

 before me has the dark and ligh't markings very 

 rich and bright ; some again when picked up have 

 a velvety bloom on the plumage. It is a very 

 game-looking bird, and a great favourite with 

 shooters. Some will account for nine birds out 

 of a dozen put up ; others, very good shots at 

 other fowl, will miss shot after shot ; for they 

 either shoot a little too soon or a little over. One 

 I once knew that had missed several very fine 

 chances was told with grim marsh-land humour to 

 " get well in front of the lot and shoot with his eyes 

 shut." Not long after this he was missed, and on 

 looking round a solitary figure was seen making his 

 way back to the hamlet, with a look of dejection 

 in his very coat-tails. Vast numbers of Snipe are 

 netted to supply the markets ; they fetch a better 

 price, and they look more enticing to the purchaser. 

 They are only a couple of bites when cooked, and 

 it is certainly preferable not to have one bite half 



