408 LAND-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS 
time of arrival, but also an equally trying one as to the locality 
in which the birds may be found. 
Like Woodcock, the Snipe use their long and sensitive bills 
for probing the mud or soft earth, and the perforations which 
they make are often tantalizing evidences of their recent occu- 
pation of the grounds; but, unlike them, they are usually, 
though not invariably, found and shot in the “open.” Like 
Woodcock, again, they are nocturnal birds, though the modified 
arrangement and structure of their eyes enable them to show 
greater observation and vigilance, to make long flights, and to 
feed, as they frequently do, by daylight. 
It is during the season of mating in spring that the actions 
of the male birds are so remarkable and interesting. Rising 
in the air to a great height, they dart and twist about with 
wonderful agility, dropping plumb down from time to time in 
the midst of these eccentric gyrations, and producing, as they 
descend, a thrumming noise, possibly caused by forming the 
wing into a sort of Aolian harp. The sound is peculiar and 
unmistakable, resembling somewhat that made by throwing a 
nail held crosswise in the hand, but it is much louder and more 
full. It is said that at such times they will sometimes alight 
temporarily on a tree or fence, but this observation the author 
has never had the good fortune to verify, though he once saw 
one alight upon a fence-post for a moment, not, however, dur- 
ing an ‘ exhibition.” 
The Snipe breed in the far North, and return to us in 
autumn, when they will, if permitted, remain on that ground 
which is to their liking for several weeks. But though they 
have been found and shot as early as August, and as late as 
December, the most favorable time is between September 10th 
and October 25th, and of this period the last fortnight is the 
best portion. 
In all the accounts of these birds which are accessible to 
him, the author finds the ancient, time-honored tradition, that 
the Snipe always begin their flights by rapid zigzags, so that it 
behooves the shooter either to fire at the instant when the birds 
attain the height of their first spring, or to wait till they have 
