SNIPE IN A BUSH. 133 



where pleiity much water, like the duck ; but rim 

 along near shore." 



" By no means an unusual circumstance in the 

 open shallows," said Norman. " In reeds and 

 rushes, of course, they are seldom seen till flushed ; 

 but here, in India, we often detect them running 

 when feeding away from cover. But what do you 

 think of snipe sitting in bushes?" 



""Well, I know partridges roost in trees some- 

 times in this country. But draw it mild, Norman. 

 Remember a snipe is a wading bird." 



" Yet, strange as it may appear, I have actually 

 seen them sitting in a bush, not a tree." 



" How could they hang on ? " was the natural 

 inquiry. 



" 1 11 tell you how it happened," said Norman. 

 " At a tank, a favourite shooting-place of mine, in 

 Cutch Mac knows it well Rhoda ! Eh, Mac ? " 

 An affirmative nod and grunt from the person ap- 

 pealed to, replied to this interrogation, and the 

 speaker continued " I was out there once early in 

 the season. The rains had been heavy, and the 

 water had inundated the land adjacent on one side, 

 which was very flat. Several bushes grew about, 

 and many of these were now right out in the water, 

 far from land. I had beaten a small patch of rushes 

 and grass at the margin, killing a snipe or two, and 



