DOGS FOR SNIPE SHOOTING. 53 



bands, the fifth and sixth with three or four of them ; chin 

 white ; throat and front of the neck white, streaked with 

 dusky lines ; breast and belly white ; sides and axillary 

 plume greyish black with narrow base of white j legs, toes, 

 and claws greenish black. 



Besides the snipes, many other birds are found in the fens, 

 and of these some are excellent for the table, as the RUFF or 

 REEVE, and the KNOT ; but for the description of these com- 

 paratively rare birds, my readers are referred to the various 

 works on natural history. Two snipes are termed a couple 

 (not a brace), and several together a wisp. 



THE FENS AND MARSHES. 



The quantity of this kind of land still left in Great Britain 

 is considerable, but nothing like that which formerly existed. 

 Every year more and more is reclaimed, and much of that 

 which is still called " marsh" is gradually becoming consoli- 

 dated, and the consequence is that it is not frequented by 

 marsh birds as it used to be. In this kind of land ditches 

 are cut at certain intervals, and the greater portion of it 

 being below the level of the sea, the water is pumped out by 

 steam-power, with the effect of keeping them nearly empty 

 excepting in very rainy seasons. From this wet and boggy 

 character it results that the walking is often such as to lead 

 the shooter into water up to his knees, and hence, unless he 

 is well protected, or weatherproof in constitution, he will 

 suffer in point of health. On the Continent, and in Ireland, 

 extensive marshes are still left undrained, and there excel- 

 lent snipe shooting may be obtained. 



DOGS FOR SNIPE SHOOTING. 



The setter is usually selected for this kind of sport, because 

 he will stand the wet and cold incidental to it better than 

 the pointer. If, however, one of these latter dogs can be 

 obtained of a harder constitution, he will often take to snipe 

 well, and from his steadiness and fine nose he will be found 

 extremely serviceable. A steady dog is all important, but 

 it will generally be found that by using him to snipe he 



