BIRDS Of THE HUMBER DISTRICT. 129 



very apparent cause, are equally scarce. As early as 

 the middle of July a few Snipe visit our marshes; these 

 are probably local birds and residents in the district, 

 as a few pairs may generally be found in the vicinity 

 of some of the small bogs and "blow- wells" in the 

 marshes throughout the summer. 



It is towards the end of August, but more usually 

 in September, that the first migratory Snipe arrives ; 

 the first flights seldom appear to resort to the bogs 

 and drains, but prefer dry situations amongst rough 

 grass, stubbles, turnips, &c. ; when flushed they fly 

 slowly and lazily, soon dropping again, similar to a 

 tired Woodcock, and very different from themselves " 

 with the wild, dashing, zigzag flight adopted in the 

 winter. These early birds remain only a short time 

 with us, and are succeeded later in the season by the 

 main body, coming at uncertain periods from the 

 middle of October to the end of November. The most 

 favourable conditions for their appearance are a strong 

 north-east wind with heavy rains. At such times they 

 may be found in the marsh turnip-fields in large 

 f ( wisps." At the report of a gun twenty or thirty rise 

 together; but, from their excessive wildness, the 

 sportsman may traverse an entire field without ob- 

 taining more than a couple of shots. They seldom re- 

 main in these situations longer than twenty-four hours, 

 leaving the district as they came, in a body. I have- 

 frequently crossed fields without finding a single bird, 

 which on the previous day literally swarmed with them. 



