110 Birds of Colorado 
frequently to be met with during the winter where there are springs 
which remain unfrozen, both in the plains and the mountains up to 
9,500 feet, at which elevation “‘ R.V.R.S.” saw two on the edge of the 
ice along the Animas River near Silverton, January 2nd, 1886. 
It is perhaps less common in summer, but has been found breeding 
in the mountain parks up to about 9,500 feet. Dille has recently 
stated that it nests in the plains about ten miles north-east of Boulder, 
and Hersey and Rockwell found one nest, June 20th, 1908, at Barr. 
The following are other breeding records: Middle Park at 9,000 feet, 
Sprague (Cooke), Twin Lakes (Scott), San Luis Lakes (Aiken), and San 
Juan, co. (Drew). In winter it has been reported from Boulder, just 
outside the city limits, by Henderson ; near Colorado Springs, where 
fairly common, by Aiken; Salida in January (Frey), Fort Lyon 
(Thorne), Sweetwater Lake by Gilmore and Routt co. by Bennet 
(Cooke), and Plateau Valley (Rockwell). 
Habits.—The Snipe is an unsocial bird, and is nearly 
always found solitary or perhaps with only one companion. 
It prefers open, moist ground where it can probe in the 
mud, with its long and soft, sensitive bill for worms, which 
form the greater part of its food. 
When flushed it rises very suddenly, with a startled 
cry of ‘“Scaipe,’’ and flashes off with zigzag turns and 
twists. It is therefore a difficult bird to kill on the wing, 
and, for the young gunner it is a moment of great satis- 
faction when he brings down his first Snipe. 
Snipe are somewhat nocturnal in their habits, though 
not to such an extent as the Woodcock ; still they feed 
and migrate chiefly at night or during thick weather. 
During the breeding season and occasionally in the fall 
as well, the Snipe rises high in the air and then darts 
down again with great velocity, at the same time making 
a curious vibrating rushing sound. The noise is usually 
known as ‘‘drumming” or “bleating.” The explanation 
is rather doubtful, but it appears to be caused by the 
rapid vibration of the webs of the outer tail-feathers 
as they are drawn through the air. 
