AND AMERICAN RURAL SPORTS. 



87 



pretty general, that the Snow-bird in summer is transform- 

 ed into the small Chipping Sparrow, which we find so 

 common in that season. I had convinced a gentleman of 

 New York of his mistake in this matter, by taking him to 

 the house of a Mr. Gautier, there, who amuses himself by 

 keeping a great number of native as well as foreign birds. 

 This was in the month of July, and the Snov7-bird appeared 

 there in the same coloured plumage he usually has. Several 

 individuals of the Chipping Sparrow were also in the same 

 apartment. The evidence was therefore irresistible; but as 

 I had not the same proofs to offer to the eye in New Eng- 

 land, I had not the same success. 



There must be something in the temperature of the blood 

 or constitution of this bird, which unfits it for residing, 

 during summer, in the lower parts of the United States; as 

 the country here abounds with a great variety of food, of 

 which, during its stay here, it appears to be remarkably 

 fond. Or, perhaps, its habit of associating in such numbers 



to breed, and building its nest with so little precaution, 

 may, to insure its safety, require a solitary region, far from 

 the intruding footsteps of man. 



The Snow-bird is six inches long, and nine in extent, 

 the head, neck, and upper parts of the breast, body, and 

 wings, are of a deep slate colour; the plumage sometimes 

 skirted with brown, which is the colour of the young birds; 

 the lower parts of the breast, the whole belly and vent, are 

 pure white; the three secondary quill feathers next the body 

 are edged with brown, the primaries with white; the tail 

 is dusky slate, a little forked, the two exterior feathers 

 wholly white, which are flirted out as it flies, and appear 

 then very prominent; the bill and legs are of a reddish 

 flesh colour; the eye bluish black. The female differs 

 from the male in being considerably more brown. In the 

 depth of winter the slate colour of the male becomes more 

 deep and much purer, the brown disappearing nearly alto- 

 gether. 





SNIPE SHOOTING. 



The season for shooting Snipe commences in March, 

 and generally continues until the middle 'of April, and 

 when the birds are plentiful, affords considerable amuse- 

 ment, and not a little toil to the sportsman. 



So soon as the warm and genial influence of approaching 

 spring, begins to revive mankind to activity, after the 

 paralizing effects of winter, then it is that these birds make 

 their appearance among us, while on their journey to the 

 north; and, although poor on their first arrival, soon become 

 fat by means of the rich feeding grounds, which lie adja- 

 cent to this city, and are objects of eager pursuit, both 



by sportsmen and market dealers. The shooting campaign, 

 for the current j'ear, opens on this species of game, and 

 new zest being given for this favourite amusement, by the 

 idleness of winter, multitudes of shooters are ready to take 

 the field, in a general war of extermination, against these 

 innocent visitants, so soon as their approach is known. On 

 all the low grounds, which borders the rivers Delaware and 

 Schuylkill, may be seen, gunners of every age and class, 

 armed with the unwieldy, rusty musket, to the superb 

 double percussion gun; some for the recreative pleasure 

 which the exercise produces, others as a source of profit; 

 and again, those, who wish to while away the tedium of 

 an idle life. 



