Concord, Mass.
1909.
May, 21
  The Snipe (I assume it was the same individual
I have noted so often of late) was drumming over the river
in front of the cabin at 7 A.M.  I watched him for
several minutes during which he flew in small circles
(not over 50 yards in diameter) and in zig-zags, coming
back and forth in every direction over a space of only
a few acres. He drummed repeatedly when, as I was
able to make quite sure, he dipped only a few
feet (certainly not more than 5 or 6) below the level
on which he was flying. On these occasions the
winnowing sound was briefer and fainter than usual.
When, as happened a few times, he descended twenty 
or thirty feet it was much longer and more emphatic.
He moved his wings all the time I had him
in sight the beats being very regular & slower than 
in normal flight, more like butterfly wing- motions, I thought.
The morning was cool, the sky partly clouded over.
Drumming of Wilsons Snipe
May 26
  The Snipe drummed a few times about 8 A.M. Morning brilliantly clear (without a cloud) & warm
with light west wind.