236 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 
foregoes even following the journey almost necessary to 
life ! 
In Southern Illinois, where I had the greatest amount of 
experience in killing this game, the advance heralds of mi- 
gration generally arrived about the 10th of March. Much, 
WILSON SNIPE. 
of course, depended upon whether the winter was late or 
otherwise; but if a thaw had taken place, and a moist 
southerly wind had been blowing overnight, the ground 
that yesterday you had tramped over in pursuit of wild 
duck without seeing a single snipe, on the morrow would 
harbor thousands. Their journey being a continuation of 
short flights, they are seldom out of condition on arrival; 
and as they do not take up a permanent residence, little 
compunction is felt in shooting them. Out of the large 
number that I have brought to bag, I do not remember a 
single instance of an egg, or other indication that pairing 
