196 BIRDS OF LA PLATA 



while feeding and are visible from a long distance ; 

 but they become extremely wary, all raising their 

 heads in a very un-Snipe-like manner at the slightest 

 alarm, and taking flight with the readiness of Wild 

 Ducks. These flocks are, however, not often met 

 with. Usually the Snipe is a solitary bird, crouches 

 close when approached, and springs up suddenly 

 when almost trodden on, loudly uttering its sharp 

 scraping alarm-cry ; after rising to a considerable 

 height, flying in a wild erratic manner, it returns 

 suddenly to the earth, often dropping into the grass 

 within twenty yards of the spot it rose from. 



It is indeed curious to see how these habits, char- 

 acteristic of the Snipes all over the world, are so 

 completely laid aside when the birds associate in 

 large flocks. 



Early and late in the day many individuals are 

 usually on the wing engaged in their aerial pastimes, 

 the singular grinding or scythe-whetting sounds 

 caused by their feathers in their violent descent from 

 a great height being distinctly audible at a distance 

 of nearly a mile. It is heard throughout the winter 

 at all hours of the day in mild, damp weather, and 

 on moonUght nights often until after midnight. 



