AMERICAN SNIPE 37 
the derivation of the old word, dowitch, as being 
originally “the Dutch or German snipe (Duitsch, 
Deutscher), probably employed to distinguish the red- 
breasted snipe from the common ‘English’ snipe.” 
In spring and, to a less extent, in fall, the snipe often 
practice a curious performance, called by some sports- 
men booming and by others drumming. The birds, 
of which there are likely to be a considerable number, 
rise high in the air, circle more or less about overhead, 
often uttering a twittering song, and then may sudden- 
ly drop from a great height toward the ground, caus- 
ing a humming or drumming sound, which is believed 
to result from the air passing rapidly between the quill 
feathers. An interesting account of this action and, in- 
deed, of several habits of the snipe, was written by 
Mr. Austen to Forest and Stream, years ago, and 
commented on by Dr. Nicols, of Cookstown, both these 
gentlemen residing in Canada. We quote Dr. Nicols’ 
remarks : 
“Tn your issue of April 23, Mr. H. Austen, of Hali- 
fax, N. S., claims that the snipe does its booming (I 
take it he means drumming) with his voice, and not, as 
supposed, with his wings, and that this noise is only 
made at dusk or long after dark. If Mr. Austen will 
go out to any good snipe ground when these birds are 
in, especially in the early part of May, in the spring, 
or September or October, in the fall of the year, on a 
dull, overcast day, he will find numbers of snipe in the 
air circling and soaring about and drumming to their 
heart’s content, when he will be satisfied—or I am 
