AND AMERICAN RURAL SPORTS. 
87 
pretty general, that the Snow-bird in summer is transform- 
ed into the small Chipping Sparrow, which we find so 
common in that season. I had convinced a gentleman of 
New York of his mistake in this matter, by taking him to 
the house of a Mr. Gautier, there, who amuses himself by 
keeping a great number of native as well as foreign birds. 
This was in the month of July, and the Snow-bird appeared 
there in the same coloured plumage he usually has. Several 
individuals of the Chipping Sparrow were also in the same 
apartment. The evidence was therefore irresistible; but as 
I had not the same proofs to offer to the eye in New Eng- 
land, I had not the same success. 
There must be something in the temperature of the blood 
or constitution of this bird, which unfits it for residing, 
during summer, in the lower parts of the United States; as 
the country here abounds with a great variety of food, of 
which, during its stay here, it appears to be remarkably 
fond. Or, perhaps, its habit of associating in such numbers 
to breed, and building its nest with so little precaution, 
may, to insure its safety, require a solitary region, far from 
the intruding footsteps of man. 
The Snow-bird is six inches long, and nine in extent, 
the head, neck, and upper parts of the breast, body, and 
wings, are of a deep slate colour; the plumage sometimes 
skirted with brown, which is the colour of the young birds; 
the lower parts of the breast, the whole belly and vent, are 
pure white; the three secondary quill feathers next the body 
are edged with brown, the primaries with white; the tail 
is dusky slate, a little forked, the two exterior feathers 
wholly white, which are flirted out as it flies, and appear 
then very prominent; the bill and legs are of a reddish 
flesh colour; the eye bluish black. The female differs 
from the male in being considerably more brown. In the 
depth of winter the slate colour of the male becomes more 
deep and much purer, the brown disappearing nearly alto- 
gether. 
SNIPE SHOOTING. 
The season for shooting Snipe, commences in March, 
and generally continues until the middle of April, and 
when the birds are plentiful, affords considerable amuse- 
ment, and not a little toil, to the sportsman. 
So soon as the warm and genial influence of approaching 
spring, begins to revive mankind to activity, after the 
paralizing effects of winter, then it is that these birds make 
their appearance among us, while on their journey to the 
north; and, although poor on their first arrival, soon become 
fat by means of the rich feeding grounds, which lie adja- 
cent to this city, and are objects of eager pursuit, both 
by sportsmen and market dealers. The shooting campaign, 
for the current year, opens on this species of game, and 
new zest being given for this favourite amusement, by the 
idleness of winter, multitudes of shooters are ready to take 
the field, in a general war of extermination, against these 
innocent visitants, so soon as their approach is known. On 
all the low grounds, which border the rivers Delaware and 
Schuylkill, may be seen, gunners of every age and class, 
armed with the unwieldy, rusty musket, to the superb 
double percussion gun, some for the recreative pleasure 
which the exercise produces, others as a source of profit; 
and again, those, who wish to while away the tedium of 
an idle life. 
