THE SNIPE. 



Having given a particular description of the woodcock, it 

 will only be necessary to observe, that the plumage and shape of 

 the snipe are much the same ; and indeed its habits and man- 

 ners bear a great analogy. But there are three different sizes 

 of snipes, the largest of which, however, is much smaller than the 

 woodcock. The common snipe weighs about four ounces, the 

 jack snipe is not much bigger than a lark ; the large snipe weighs 

 about eight ounces, but is seldom met with. Some have sup- 

 posed that the common snipe is the jack's female ; however, the 

 contrary is now too well known to need a refutation in this 

 place. 



Snipes are to be found all the winter in wet and marshy 

 grounds, particularly where there are rushes ; they are frequently 

 to be found on mountains and moors among the heath, but a 

 severe frost forces them to the springs and running streams. 

 Numbers of these birds remain with us all the year, and breed 

 in our marshes, laying generally six eggs the latter end of May. 

 In saying this, I wish to be understood as meaning the common 

 snipe ; for I am of opinion the jack snipe, like the woodcock, 

 goes to a more southern latitude to breed ; though he is some- 

 times seen here in the summer, which may arise from similar 

 causes to those which have induced the occasional stay of the 

 woodcock. But numbers of the common snipe are found to stay 

 and breed from choice, though by far the greater part migrate 

 for this purpose. 



The snipe is generally regarded as a difficult shot ; and it must 



