236 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 



foregoes even following the journey almost necessary to 

 life! 



In Southern Illinois, where I had the greatest amount of 

 experience in killing this game, the advance heralds of mi- 

 gration generally arrived about the 10th of March. Much, 



WILSON SNIPE. 



of course, depended upon whether the winter was late or 

 otherwise; but if a thaw had taken place, and a moist 

 southerly wind had been blowing overnight, the ground 

 that yesterday you had tramped over in pursuit of wild 

 duck without seeing a single snipe, on the morrow would 

 harbor thousands. Their journey being a continuation of 

 short flights, they are seldom out of condition on arrival; 

 and as they do not take up a permanent residence, little 

 compunction is felt in shooting them. Out of the large 

 number that I have brought to bag, I do not remember a 

 single instance of an egg, or other indication that pairing 



