326 AMERICAN GAME BIRD SHOOTING 



the part of the experienced shot no particular attempt 

 to reach the bird from a weak quarter. He takes the 

 shooting as it comes. 



On windy days, or when the weather is cold, the 

 snipe may be very wild and rise at extreme ranges. 

 Shooting then is quite as much a test of the gun as 

 it is a test of the shooter's skill. Few writers, how- 

 ever, pay any heed to the distinction, and consider it 

 all, be the rise far or near, as a matter of skill alone. 

 At best, walking down wind on snipe is an uncertain 

 advantage, for they can fly down or across wind with 

 a swiftness and ease which dispose very quickly of 

 any trifling advantage of a few yards taken up wind 

 for the start. 



The habits of snipe, as oftenest described, are their 

 habits when they are lean and wild, or wild from a 

 change from warm to cold or from calm to windy 

 weather. But to teach that such is their regular man- 

 ner of flight would be on a par with teaching that 

 quail live in the tree-tops because they sometimes take 

 refuge there. 



Even when lean and wild, on a calm day the snipe 

 does not strain the skill of a good shot. But on a 

 windy day it is a different proposition. The wild, 

 lean snipe can dart very swiftly across or down wind, 

 and if to this be added rise at long range, the shooting 

 becomes really difficult, though then, as mentioned be- 

 fore, it is also a test of the gun. 



When wildest, the snipe is exceedingly restless and 

 moves fitfully from place to place. It then takes alarm 



