138 FEATHERED GAME 
and do not then twist so much, often offering 
for a moment an almost stationary mark, 
which, if you are a ‘‘snap shot,’’ makes your 
opportunity. May you improve it ever! My 
own system is to snap at them as quickly as 
possible and make ready at once to miss an- 
other. For myself, I prefer to work across 
and against the breeze, thus giving the dog 
more advantage. The dog’s part is ever more 
than half the pleasure for me—perhaps be- 
cause it is so much better done. 
You can see many signs of their occupancy 
as you trudge through the mire—the borings 
in the black, oozy mud, the ‘‘whitewash’’ where 
they have fed—and in the stubble where the 
farmer has cut ‘‘salt hay’’ for bedding for his 
cattle you start them singly and in pairs, keep- 
ing dog, gun and yourself well occupied in 
downing the swift-flying ‘‘longbills’’ which 
have arrived during the night. No other of the 
‘‘bay snipe,’’ as the game waders are termed, 
furnish so good sport for dog and gun as does 
Wilson’s Snipe. Probably the Grassbird ranks 
next in game qualities, as the others are not to 
be hunted with a dog but are shot over ‘‘stools’’ 
or by stealthy approach. If you have hunted 
