CH. xiv.] REFINEMENTS. SNIPE SHOT. 231 



extension of it. Why then should we not strive to reach it ? It 

 must, however, be granted that so finished an education is not 

 absolutely necessary, for many killing dogs never attain it : indeed, 

 many good sportsmen have never witnessed it. And this is pro- 

 bably the reason why such a number abjure the aid of a dog in 

 snipe-shooting. 



394. Years ago, when I was in County Wexford, I knew, by 

 sight, a capital snipe-shot, though he constantly wore spectacles, 

 who loathed the idea of letting a dog accompany him. This he 

 would not have done, had he known to what perfection the animal 

 could be brought. But certainly our spectacled friend had less 

 occasion for canine assistance than any man I ever saw. He knew 

 every rushy spot for miles around. If there was a snipe in a field, 

 he would point to within a few feet where it was lying. He walked 

 very fast ; was indefatigable ; without waiting for loading picked 

 up every bird the moment it was knocked over; kept relays of 

 ammunition at several farm-houses ; and nearly always came home 

 with his capacious pockets (for he carried no bag) well filled. I 

 heard an anecdote of him, more in praise of the correctness of his 

 eye than the make of his leg, that on one occasion, after he had 

 stuffed his pockets full of snipe, he proceeded actually to cram more 

 birds into the tops of his boots. 



395. An officer whom I knew well in Canada came for a few days 

 to Isle Aux Noix. He paddled himself and a favourite dog to the 

 opposite shore. The dog made nineteen separate points at snipe 

 of which my friend bagged seventeen, and he thinks he did not 

 see above three more birds. He admits that the day was hot,* and 

 that in consequence the snipe lay well ; but he certainly would not 

 have obtained so many shots without the assistance of his intelli- 

 gent companion. He was, however, beautifully broken. I do not 

 suppose that my friend had once occasion to use his voice. And 

 the sagacious animal would creep across wind as stealthily as a 

 cat on the right hand being slightly raised, as described in xn. 

 of 141. 



396. My friend's sport caused a laugh in the little garrison at 

 the expense of its Fort Adjutant, by no means a first-rate shot, 

 who complained that his favourite, though confessedly very small, 

 preserve was destroyed for the season ; and I rather think it was ; 

 for my experience leads me to believe, contrary to what is generally 

 supposed, that snipe, when once they have had time to settle in a 

 spot, become attached to it, and do not much shift their ground. 

 At least I have known many places in which snipe having been 

 killed off early in the season, none appeared the same season in 

 their stead, although in preceding years birds had been plentiful 

 during the whole winter. 



397. Woodcocks also consider themselves permanently established 

 in localities where they have been long undisturbed (82). Mr. 



* A dark day with a good breeze would be preferred with us., 



