COMMON SNIPE. 143 



I -was able to see that its production was unaccompanied by any motion of the -wings." 



The more common note, and one which is heard whenever a Snipe is sprung, has been 

 compared to the word ; chissicky repeated with a lisp. On such occasions it is the note 

 of alarm, but it is also used at other times when the bird is undisturbed. 



The old notion that Snipes lived by suction is now quite exploded; something far more 

 substantial than anything attainable by that process, falls to their lot. The bill of the 

 Snipe is one of the most beautifully contrived structures that can well be imagined, and 

 is most admirably adapted to its necessities and mode of procuring food. If the beak is 

 soaked in water for a few days, the cuticle, or outside skin, will readily peel of, and 

 the beak itself will be exhibited. The enlarged end of this will be found to be most 

 beautifully reticulated ; having numerous elevated lines enclosing six-sided cells. The object 

 of this curious provision is, there can be no doubt, to afford a greater surface for the 

 expansion of the nervous filaments which supply the beak with sensation; the beak, par- 

 ticularly the extremity, being thus rendered extremely sensitive to the slightest external 

 impression, is able to detect worms and other animals when below the surface of the 

 ground, where a large portion of the Snipe's food is obtained, and which could never be 

 procured, were it dependent on its eyes only for finding the creatures on which it feeds. 



In procuring its food, the Snipe forces its bill into the soft, muddy ground, to a greater 

 or less depth; sometimes even the whole bill will be immersed, as is proved by seeing 

 mud on the feathers of the forehead of dead birds; the delicately sensitive skin which 

 covers the beak, and forms a nervous cushion at the end, instantly betrays any unfortunate 

 worm, or other creature that may come in contact with it, and it is instantly seized and 

 eaten. In this way it picks up most of its food, and as Snipes are very generally in 

 most excellent condition, we may infer that it finds little difficulty in procuring an ample 

 supply of insect life. Digestion appears to be very rapidly accomplished, for frequently 

 but little is found in the stomach, if examined — the powerful gizzard and gastric juice 

 having ground up and dissolved the last-taken food. At different times the following 

 digestible items have been found in their mouths or stomachs : — "Worms of all kinds and 

 sizes ; caterpUlars of beetles and other insects ; small shell-snails ; some vegetable substances ; 

 small seeds of one of the sedges or reeds; other small seeds; and two instances are 

 mentioned by Mr. Thompson, in which a full-grown horseleech was found in the stomach. 

 Add to these numerous small pieces of stone or gravel, and a good idea of the substances 

 picked up by the Snipes may be formed. 



In sporting phraseology, we say of Snipes that we spring them, when we put them up ; 

 we talk of a couple, or a couple and a half of Snipes ; and when in small flocks we say 

 a wisp of Snipes. 



It is a well-known fact that Snipes, and indeed, we believe, all wild birds, are fatter, 

 and in better condition after a few days frost, than either before or after its lengthened 



