174 Wild Life in Wales 



f 



down as in the adult bird ; but, except to add grace 

 and extra beauty to its movements, it is difficult to imagine 

 of what use it can be to the individual. It can hardly 

 be doubted that it must have been acquired for some 

 more useful purpose than to charm man's eye, and yet 

 who can tell ? 



" Willy-wicket " and " summer-snipe " are names attaching 

 to the Sandpiper in some of the adjoining counties of 

 England ; in Wales it is generally known as the Pibydd-y- 

 tr#th. Perhaps I may be pardoned for concluding these 

 remarks by quoting a wandering angler's song, that has at 

 least the merit that it opens with an appreciation of his 

 feathered friends, and of the Sandpiper amongst them. 



THE ANGLER'S INVITATION. 



The summer snipe has come again, 



And piping runs upon the gravel ; 

 The heather-bleats l have left the plain, 



And high above the moorlands travel. 



The swallow skims upon the lake, 



The snow has left the distant mountain, 



And all the trout are on the take, 



In purling stream, and sparkling fountain. 



The breeze is blowing from the west, 

 Then get your lines and flies together, 



And bring the rod that you love best, 

 And we'll away among the heather. 



We'll leave the smoky town behind, 



And join the merry little dipper, 

 And pleasures unalloyed we'll find, 



Where o'er the stones the waters lipper. 



There let us fill our bulky creel 



With trout that take March-browns and Spinners, 

 There country joys again we'll feel, 



That are denied to city sinners. 



1 Snipe. 



