SNIPE SHOOTING 325 



The books teach that the snipe rises with a zigzag 

 flight against the wind, darting to right and left with 

 such rapid flashes of speed that the best of skilful 

 sportsmen are puzzled, and consequently make many 

 a miss. 



The snipe, it is true, goes against the wind when 

 there is a wind, and zigzags a few times to rise up- 

 ward before taking a straight course. Many writers 

 on snipe shooting lay it down as correct that the 

 shooter, to take advantage of this peculiarity in ris- 

 ing, should walk down wind, or advance to the dog's 

 point down wind, so that when the snipe is flushed 

 it will fly toward him. All such teachings savor of 

 the novice, or of a skill which needs nursing. All 

 the difficulties are greatly exaggerated, zigzag, swift 

 flight and all. The zigzag of the snipe a-wing is in 

 the beginning of its flight, and nothing is easier than 

 to wait a moment till it straightens out on a straight 

 flight. Then the killing is a matter of shooting on 

 the wing, similar to other wing shooting. 



As to walking down wind to secure a better shot, 

 the sportsman need not concern himself about it in 

 the least, excepting perhaps on such days as are cold, 

 and days when the birds are very wild and rise at the 

 extreme range of the gun. As with pigeon shooting, 

 the really good shot does not let his birds get far if 

 they rise within range. Whether they zigzag or not, 

 he snaps them as soon as they are on the wing; or 

 being well on the wing, he permits them to get into 

 steady flight, and then delivers his fire. There is on 



