344 WILSON'S SNIPE. 



together, each more or less distinct, perhaps according to the state of the 

 atmosphere. The sounds produced are extremely pleasing, though they fall 

 faintly on the ear. I know not how to describe them, but I am well assured 

 that they are not produced simply by the beatings of the wings, as at this 

 time the wings are not flapped, but are used in sailing swiftly in a circle not 

 many feet in diameter. A person might cause a sound somewhat similar by 

 blowing rapidly and alternately from one end to another, across a set of 

 small pipes consisting of two or three modulations. This performance is 

 kept up until incubation terminates, but I never observed it at any other 

 period. Our Woodcock produces a somewhat similar sound at the same 

 season, and also at times on fine autumnal evenings, as I shall mention more 

 particularly when describing that bird. 



In confinement, our Common Snipe feeds freely on moistened Indian corn 

 meal, mixed with some insects, but rarely becomes as gentle as the Wood- 

 cock in similar circumstances. When approached, it droops its wings and 

 runs round its place of confinement, even should it be a small room, keeping 

 its tail spread out on the side next you. If the bird is confined in a small 

 space in front of you, it alternately throws the tail upwards, and spreads it 

 in the manner mentioned at every successive turn to and from each corner. 

 Sometimes it emits a lisping sound, but is more usually silent. 



Mr. T. M. MacCulloch writes me thus: — "In your article upon the 

 Snipe, you seem to be unable to say whether the male incubates or not. I 

 am inclined to think he does not. A pair of them have a nest this year 

 close to our house, though I have not been able to find the spot. During 

 any hour of the day, for some time past, the male could be heard uttering 

 his curious notes in circles high up in the sky, beyond the reach of sight, 

 and at night, even as late as eleven o'clock, I have heard him serenading his 

 beloved with as much ardour as any lover who ever tried to win his way by 

 music to his mistress' heart. The Snipe flies low at night, and in circles, as 

 in the day; but it is only in particular spots and at short intervals that the 

 sound is heard. The note is exceedingly like the winnowing noise which 

 the wings of Pigeons make when alighting on the ground, and I have never 

 yet been able to determine whether it is actually the voice of the Snipe 

 which is heard, or whether it is produced by the bird's stopping in certain 

 parts of his course and beating the air in some particular way with his 

 wings." 



Scolopax Wilsonii, Bonap. Syn., p. 330. 



Snipe, Scolopax Gallinago, Wils. Araer. Orn., vol. vi. p. 18. 



Scolopax Wilsonii, Wilson's Snipe, Swains, and Rich. F. Bor. Amer., vol. ii. p. 401. 



Wilson's Snipe, Nutt. Man.,, vol. ii. p. 1S5. 



American Snipe. Scolopax Wilsonii. Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. iii. p. 322; vol. v. p. 583. 



