MARSH BIRDS. 97 



" debatable land," and putting in a few willow bushes for 

 cover, might be made to hold twice as many couple of snipe 

 as they do at present. I take it as a fact not to be denied, 

 there are always plenty of wild birds somewhere to occupy 

 a desirable spot directly it is formed ; but the worst of it is, 

 desirable locations are becoming so sadly scarce in our over- 

 drained and over- "improved" shires ! 



It is in any case certain, however, we cannot be wrong 

 in suppressing nets and kindred engines of wholesale destruc- 

 tion, and giving the snipe a chance of resting in the limited 

 selection of osier beds and marshes yet open to him. 



