80 BIRD LIFE IN ENGLAND. 



flags and reeds where there is nothing now but cobble and 

 curb stones. Moorfields were an excellent place for long-bills, 

 and so was Belgrave Square and Pimlico ! There can be no 

 doubt in the " home counties," at least, the available range 

 of the snipe is within a measurable distance of total extinc- 

 tion, and it is so to a greater or lesser extent elsewhere. 



Seeing, however, that snipe are to be had for the humour- 

 ing, I would hint the advisability of pampering them wherever 

 possible. At the risk of becoming an apostle of osiers, I would 

 suggest, as in the chapter on ducks, the possibility of pre- 

 paring with very little trouble tempting resting-places for 

 migrating birds. An excellent letter to the Field, from one 

 well and professionally qualified to express an opinion, illus- 

 trates the practicability of the idea. 



" A LIKELY PLACE FOE A SNIPE. 



" SlE, 



"While reading a pithy sketch of a 'white frost,' 

 an idea came into my mind that has often arisen before, 

 especially when crossing manors in different parts of England 

 how often the opportunity is lost of making a bit of covert 

 for a snipe or a cock. I have met with lots of men belong- 

 ing to my calling who knew well how to show a stock of 

 hand-reared and indigenous game, that never once thought 

 of establishing a bit or two in the place that would screen 

 wandering game birds. It is simple enough ; all that is to 

 be done is to provide the ' feed ' after having found the 

 4 situation,' work a bit with the head, and then sign willing. 

 I remember following a man on an estate in the east of 

 England, and on asking him while we were going round the 

 place, if they ever got many snipe, he said one ' now and 

 agin.' Now, I had seen that it only wanted a little working 

 to turn a stretch of about ten acres in a direct line into a 

 first-class snipe beat, and all by commanding the water in 

 the top pond by means of a sluice or two. This bottom ran 



