188 lewis' AMERICAN SPORTSMAN. 



DIFFICULT TO BE SHOT, 



The flight of the Snipe, together with its shyness during its 

 sojourn at the North, and the disagreeable nature of the ground 

 that it alone frequents, renders it the most difficult, as well as 

 fatiguing and vexatious, of Birds to hunt. When sprung, they 

 take wing very suddenly, and fly off in rapid zigzag lines for 

 a few paces, in such a confused, irregular, and tortuous course 

 that it is almost impossible even for a snap shot, during this 

 time, to cover the bird for an instant while performing these 

 elliptical gyrations. 



Snipe-shooting, not only in England, but also in our own 

 country, may very justly be pronounced the " Crux Jaculato- 

 rum" of Sportsmen, as there is no game that requires more 

 skill and judgment in shooting, or demands a greater share of 

 labor and perseverance to follow. A sporting writer — no great 

 admirer of this sport, however, we imagine — remarks that 

 "Snipe-shooting is a sport the best calculated (Grousing ex- 

 cepted) to try the keenness of the Sportsman, to ascertain his 

 bottom, and if he can stand labor, water, mire, swamps, and 

 bogs. He should be possessed of a strong constitution, not 

 liable to catch cold, and have all the fortitude, as well as exer- 

 tion, of a water-spaniel ; he should be habitually inured to wet, 

 dirt, and difficulties, and not be deterred by cold or severe 

 weather." 



This statement, although a little overdrawn, is not far wide 

 of the real truth, as every Snipe-shooter knows full well ; and 

 when entering on the sport, each one should be willing to re- 

 peat within himself audax omnia perpeii. Notwithstanding the 

 numerous ills attendant on this sport, it has many ardent ad- 

 mirers, who, in spite of wind and weather, cold and rain, mud 

 and mire, are, at each succeeding spring and autumn, found 

 ready at their posts, all eagerness to commence the fray ; and, 

 at the close of every season, each one has a long list of adven- 

 tures to relate, not perhaps — 



" Of moving accidents by flood and field, 

 Of hair-breadth 'scapes i' the imminent deadly breach ;" 



