338 USEFUL BIRDS. 



September and October. It is not an upland bird, but 

 is seen chiefly in fresli-water meadows and lowlands along 

 streams. It is sometimes met with in low, moist gardens. 

 Mr. William Brewster says, in his " Birds of the Cambridge 

 Region," that during exceptionally wot autumns great num- 

 bers of Snipe occasionally visit the truck farms of Arlington 

 and Belmont, to feed in the water-soaked fields of corn, pota- 

 toes, and other crops. As they do not injure the crops, but 

 probe the ground with their long bills, in search of worms 

 and larvas, it is probable that they do considerable good 

 at such times. The Snipe when started from the ground 

 usually goes off in a rather low, erratic course, but when well 

 up in the air it sometimes makes a long and steady flight. 

 It may be identified by its long bill. It seems to be some- 

 what nocturnal, particularly on moonlit nights, when its note 

 may be heard as it flies about the meadows or runs over 

 them. Its alarm note is a harsh f<caipe, and it utters also a 

 muffled "bleat." In spring the Snipe may be seen to rise 

 from the meadow, mounting high in air, and then describing 

 a o;reat circle, sometimes fully a mile in diameter. During 

 the flight it alternately rises and falls diagonally, producing 

 each time in its descending coiu-se a loud, intermittent, win- 

 nowino; or whistling sound. A .sino-le individual will some- 

 times continue this erratic circular flight for more than an 

 hour. The sound, which appears to be made by the wings, 

 is loud and clear, and may be heard at the distance of over 

 one mile under fiivorable conditions. This is looked upon 

 as the song flight of the Snipe. Apparently this habit 

 is common in the mating and breeding season. The per- 

 formance varies in length and the flight varies in altitude 

 and direction, but it always is interesting and unique. 

 Often, particularly in autuum, the Sni[)e will rise to a great 

 height and then drop swiftly toward the earth, producing a 

 thrumming noise with the wings. This is the so-called 

 drumming of this bird. It feeds mainlv on worms, OTass- 

 hoppers, and other small forms of animal life. This bird's 

 chief economic value lies in tlie delicacy of its flesh, and as 

 an object of sport it has few superiors. 



