4 
SXIPE. 
readily be forgotten. On the 6tli of December, 1860, a stretch of marshes, known as “ Barnhorn Ponds,” 
extending well inland between the cultivated grounds, was perfectly alive with Snipe. Though twenty 
or thirty birds would rise at a time, they flew for the most part singly; in no instance did I notice 
more than three or four kcej)ing in company. But few shots had been fired, when from three to four 
hundred must have been on tving at once, soaring high in the air and, after a time, settling in the more 
remote patches of rushes. Having been in pursuit of Wild Geese, I was by no means prepared for Snipe- 
slaughter, my weapon being a ten-bore muzzle-loader, and wire cartridges forming the greater part of 
the ammunition. Early in IMarch 1860 the weather was excessively cold and wintry. On arriving one 
morning at Pevensey, I learned from a keeper who met me at the station that while crossing the marshes 
in the dark he had heard Snipe calling in all directions. During the early part of the day we searched 
tbe slades in the neighbourhood of the coast, finding few birds and bagging but six couple ; it was not 
till the afternoon, on arriving at “ Barnhorn Ponds,” that the Snij)e were discovered, the scene being 
precisely similar to that previously described. On this occasion I was well provided with all necessaries, 
though an unlucky mishap considerably interfered Avith the prospects of the bag. Before entering the 
first marsh in “ the ponds,” Snipe commenced to rise from the rushes, and three fell to the first double, 
a bird in the act of crossing the line of the second barrel being knocked down at about sixty yards. On 
attempting to make my way across the wooden footway over the dyke the plank slipped round, and though 
escaping a ducking, thanks to a pair of long boots, both barrels of my breech-loader were stopped up with 
mud. While sorting out a pocketful of cartridges partially soaked by the splash of the water, the man, who 
carried a muzzle-loader, turned his attention to clearing my barrels with his ramrod. Using, unfortunately, 
more strength than skill, the rod snapped, and another delay occurred while the nearest hedgerow was 
searched in order to procure a suitable ash-plant. During the whole of the time we were engaged with 
tbe gun Snipe continued rising and settling in every direction as far as the rush-marshes extended, many 
flying round and otfering most tempting chances. On resuming operations the birds, after lying well for 
a time, grew by degrees more wary, many extending their flight to distant parts of the level. After working 
hard Avhile daylight lasted, tAventy-five and a half couple of Snipe AA^ere counted out at dusk ; there Avere, 
hoAA'ever, among them three couple of Jacks. On the following day I discovered, to my great regret, that 
tbe flight had moved on, leaving behind scarcely a straggler, a long tramp producing only eight couple. 
Jacks and full birds equally divided. 
A week later, w hile shooting round the ■' crumbles ” (a piece of swampy marshland near Eastbourne), 
I found several Snipe on the shingle-banks. The birds were scattered here and tliere, risiii- for tlie most 
part from below the stunted tliorn bushes tliat grow in patches on the open beach where the gravel is 
fine and small, A few low tufts of grass and moss wore the sole signs of vegetation, with the exception 
of the bushes, on this wide expanse of shingle; still the spot evidently possessed some unknown attraction 
for the birds. 
Occasionally Snipe collect into large docks, flying in compact bodies and wheelino. in the air after 
the manner of Golden Hovers, Dunlin, and other small Waders. A flight consisting'’ of three or four 
hundred were to be seen in the vicinity of one of the broads in the east of Xorfolk during the latter end of 
Sep ember ISvO. I had many o,,portnnilies of watching their actions, the birds appearing exceedinglv 
restiess, settling now and then for a few minutes, but seldom remaining for a sufficient lengUi of time 
one spot to allow an approach within gunshot. 1 often remarked tliat these large bodies exhibited a 
great fancy for the ..floating hovers”*, where they would settle at times in such numbers that many 
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...a ite .a . satre,!:: :::::: ~ 
