342 WILSON'S SNIPE. 



either man or dog to approach within fifty yards of it. This, however, 

 depends much on the state of the atmosphere. The finer and warmer the 

 day, the easier I have found it to get near them, and the smaller is the 

 distance at which they realight; whereas during drizzly weather, they fly off 

 to a great distance. When the Snipe alights within sight, and you are 

 concealed and silent, its movements can easily be observed. It first stands 

 for an instant in a half crouching attitude, as if to listen, then raises itself and 

 runs a few steps, when, if it be in any degree apprehensive of danger, it 

 squats, and there remains until put up. If all around is quiet, you see it 

 move in its ordinary manner, walking lightly, and with some grace, its bill 

 half inclined downwards, in search of a good spot to probe for food. The 

 instant it meets with this it sets to work, and thrusts its- bill into the mud or 

 the damp soil, to a depth determined by the degree of softness of the ground, 

 repeating its thrusts eight, ten, or more times in quick succession. When it 

 has thus examined a spot, and perhaps found some food, it walks off in 

 search of another, and thus continues until it is satisfied, when it generally 

 lays itself down in a soft tuft of grass until the approach of night, when it 

 flies off and rambles about for exercise in comparative securit}^. When 

 wounded, it runs with moderate speed, but, if closely pursued, squats 

 whenever a good opportunity occurs. It will at times continue to run for 

 fifty or more yards, after which, if you have not a good dog, it is next to 

 impossible to find it, for on such occasions it remains perfectly silent. 

 While travelling eastward from Charleston, in the month of March, I found 

 this Snipe perhaps more abundant near the Great Santee river than any 

 where else. We could see them with ease from the carriage as they were 

 walking over the rice-fields, as if in perfect assurance of security. 



The food of our Common Snipe consists principally of ground-worms, 

 insects, and the juicy slender roots of different vegetables, all of which tend 

 to give its flesh that richness of flavour and juicy tenderness, for which it 

 is so deservedly renowned, it being equal to that of the Woodcock. Many 

 epicures eat up both Snipe and Woodcock with all their viscera, worms and 

 insects to boot, the intestines in fact being considered the most savoury 

 parts. On opening some newly killed Snipes, I have more than once found 

 fine large and well-fed ground-worms, and at times a leech, which I must 

 acknowledge I never conceived suitable articles of food for man, and, for this 

 reason, I have always taken good care to have both Snipes and Woodcocks 

 well cleaned, as all game ought to be. 



To Wilson is due the merit of having first shewn the difference between 

 this bird and the Common Snipe of Europe; and it is honourable for the 

 ornithologists of that region of the globe to have dedicated our species to so 

 zealous and successful a student of nature. I have, however, been surprised 



