16 COMMON SNIPE. 



up: when the wind is high they seem to rise more readily 

 than at other times. It is, as need hardly be mentioned, in 

 much esteem for the table, and some are taken in springes, 

 but the most are procured with the gun. 



The flight of the Snipe is very swift, and at first zigzag, 

 but it becomes more regular, or rather, the movements from 

 side to side are more extended, and, after about sixty or 

 eighty yards continuance, the bird rises high in the air, as 

 if to descry some other proper place to alight, to which it 

 accordingly directs its course, and descends in a very rapid 

 and abrupt manner, settling down very suddenly, and dropping 

 like a stone. I have known them, however, when put up, 

 alight again not far off one recently in a neighbouring stubble, 

 and another under a hedge in a grass field. They move about 

 in a leisurely manner, and keep moving the tail every now 

 and then. 



In the early spring these birds soar to a vast height, some- 

 times far out of sight, and observable only by their note. 

 These flights, which are of lengthened duration, are made at 

 different times during the day, but mostly towards evening, 

 and are continued while the female is sitting. Whole Snipes, 

 unlike the smaller species, generally fly off, if put up, to some 

 more or less considerable distance. They are very easily brought 

 down by shot; I have known one killed- some of my old school- 

 fellows will well remember the fact at a distance of seventy-two 

 yards. Alas! poor Venour! He lies now in Bromsgrove 

 churchyard, side by side with Lightfoot, his great and insep- 

 arable friend, the only two of my companions who died at 

 school. 'In their death they were not divided.' Grood reader, 

 pardon this passing record of their memory. I have never 

 but once seen the Snipe on the ground; the only occasion on 

 which I did, was by the side of a little pond close to the 

 road between Driffield and Beverley. (The day after the 

 above was written, I have seen another by the brook near 

 Nunburnholme Rectory,) On one only occasion have I seen 

 this bird perched in a tree; it is now a good many years ago, 

 as is proved by my having been at the time on the outside 

 of a coach one of those that ran between Southampton 

 and Exeter. It was driven at the time by Cox, then, though 

 I fear not now, Junior; for not only must his father, a most 

 respectable man Cox, Senior, by whom I well remember the 

 son being first introduced on the 'Stage' in a subordinate 

 capacity, have long since succumbed to the universal fiat his 



