222 



SNIPE. 



snipe, to distinguish it from the woodcock, and from several 

 others of the same genus. It arrives in Pennsylvania about 

 the 10th of March, and remains in the low grounds for several 

 weeks ; the greater part then move off to the north, and to the 

 higher inland districts, to breed. A few are occasionally 

 found, and consequently breed, in our low marshes during 

 the summer. When they first arrive, they are usually lean ; 

 but, when in good order, are accounted excellent eating. 

 They are perhaps the most difficult to shoot of all our birds, 

 as they fly in sudden zigzag lines, and very rapidly. Great 

 numbers of these birds winter on the rice grounds of the 

 southern States, where, in the month of February, they appeared 

 to be much tamer than they are usually here, as I frequently 

 observed them running about among the springs and watery 

 thickets. I was told by the inhabitants that they generally 

 disappeared early in the spring. On the 20th of March, I 

 found these birds extremely numerous on the borders of the 

 ponds near Louisville, Kentucky, and also in the neighbour- 

 hood of Lexington, in the same State, as late as the 10th of 



Most of the snipes partially migrate in their native countries, and 

 some perform a regular distant migration. Such is the case with the 

 S. gallinula of Europe. The American species is a winter visitant in 

 the northern States, and will most probably breed farther to the south, 

 without leaving the country. In India, the snipes move according to 

 the supply of water in the tanks, and at the season when they are com- 

 paratively dry, leave that district entirely. In this country, although 

 many breed in the mosses, we have a large accession of numbers about 

 the middle of September, both from the wilder high grounds, and from 

 the continent of Europe ; and these, according to the weather, change 

 their stations during the whole winter. Their movements are com- 

 menced generally about twilight, when they fly high, surveying the 

 country as they pass, and one day may be found in abundance on the 

 highest moorland ranges, while the next they have removed to some 

 low and sheltered glade or marsh. In this we have a curious instance 

 of that instinctive knowledge which causes so simultaneous a change 

 of station in a single night. By close observation, during the winter 

 months it may be regularly perceived, sometimes even daily, and some 

 change certainly takes place before and after any sudden variation of 

 weather. — Ed. 



