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resembling the word sbirrrr, which note becomes deeper as uttered. When the bird commences 

 its note the head is stretched upwards, and is held thus until the snapping commences, after 

 which it is depressed. Whilst producing these notes the bird is in ecstacy, and raises and 

 spreads its tail like a fan, the outer tail-feathers showing in the half-darkness like two white 

 patches. At a short distance the sound of the notes of the different birds at the drumming-place 

 resembles a low continuous chorus, and is by no means unpleasant ; for it may be compared to 

 the song of the Willow-Wren whilst a strong wind is sighing amongst the branches of the 

 forest-trees. 



"As soon as a couple of males approach each other they commence to fight, slashing each 

 other feebly with their wings ; but the combat does not last long. Whilst drumming they are 

 not shy, and may be approached to within a few paces before they fly up ; and even then they 

 settle down again directly, and after a minute a two recommence proceedings ; nor does the report 

 of a gun seem to occasion much alarm. They drum during rainy weather, but seem to prefer 

 clear, bright nights. During the darkest portion of the night they break up the ' Spil,' to 

 recommence operations as soon as it becomes a little lighter. It is curious that the bird should 

 have the power of uttering a song or a succession of notes so well developed, when during the 

 rest of the year it is nearly dumb ; for it only utters a harsh alarm-note when suddenly flushed, 

 and has no regular call-note. 



" The eggs of the Double Snipe, which, like those of its allies, are four in number, are 

 deposited in June. It makes no regular nest, but the eggs are laid on a few grass bents in a 

 mere depression in the soil, close to a tussock or under a small bush ; and the bird sits so close 

 that it will not leave its eggs until nearly trodden on, and will then return to the nest directly 

 the intruder has left its immediate vicinity. As soon as the young are hatched they can run, and 

 at once leave the nest." 



Some interesting notes on the nidification of the present species in Northern Norway were 

 published by Messrs. F. & P. Godman, who write (Ibis, 1861, p. 88) as follows : — " The first nest 

 we found contained four eggs, and was placed on the edge of a small hillock, quite open, though 

 there were dwarf birch trees growing all round, and one on the very hillock on which the nest 

 was situated. It consisted of nothing more than a hole scraped in the moss, in which the eggs 

 were deposited ; there were neither grass nor leaves in it. After a minute examination of it, and 

 carefully marking the place, we went away to fetch our guns, the rain descending in such torrents 

 that we were not carrying them that day. On our return in half an hour the bird was again on 

 the nest. We put it up and shot it. It proved to be a female. The eggs were very slightly 

 incubated. The next day (June 25th) we found another nest within 200 yards of the former, 

 containing only two eggs ; and as we thought the bird would be sure to lay more, we marked the 

 place and left it. It was situated on a small hillock, and in much the same sort of place as the 

 former. We found another nest on the 27th of the same month. The bird fluttered off and ran 

 away, dragging its wings on the ground, and making a sort of drumming noise. After taking 

 four eggs from this nest, we returned to look at that found on the 25th, which contained two 

 eggs. We walked directly to the spot ; and what was our horror at seeing nothing in the place 

 but some apparently disturbed moss! Onr first impression was that the eggs had been destroyed 

 by the Magpies or Crows that were constantly hunting for such food, or perhaps taken and eaten 



