382 EMPLOYMENT OF THE DOG IN HUNTING, ETC. 



popular idea that the slightest graze will bring down a snipe is, 

 like many popular ideas, a fallacy ; no bird requires more care- 

 ful marking. After being fired at, I have known them fly nearly 

 out of sight when shot clean through the body, and then drop 

 suddenly dead. This happens most frequently when very light 

 shot has been used ; and for that reason I would always recom- 

 mend the shooter to load the second barrel with No. 6 shot. 

 It has another advantage. He will often meet hares, teal, and 

 duck at distances where his light shot would be thrown away ; 

 and it is well to be prepared for them. If a snipe stops scream- 

 ing and stoops in his flight after being fired at, it is a pretty 

 good sign that he is hit hard. If his legs drop, he is mortally 

 wounded, and will never fly far. 



" In some marshes stiipe are very wild, rising in wisps, before 

 you can come within range. This generally occurs when the 

 ground is wet, and the birds are sitting upon the little hillocks 

 above the water. In such cases the dog should be tied up, and 

 the sportsman ought to walk them up alone. If this does not 

 succeed, the only chance left is to stand (under cover if possible) 

 at the windward end of the bog, and send the attendant in to 

 leeward, with directions to make as little noise as possible ; by 

 this means a few shots may be obtained, and you will have an 

 opportunity of, perhaps, marking some of the birds down in more 

 favourable ground. At all events, there is the chance of meeting 

 them when scattered through the country. 



" Many an old Irish sportsman will smile at the idea of any 

 person giving directions for finding snipe. Until the last few 

 seasons they have been so numerous, that all he had to do was, 

 to walk into the first marsh and blaze away until the light failed, 

 or his ammunition was expended. "What with severe and long- 

 continued frosts, however, drainage, and other ' dreadful inven- 



