SNIPE SHOOTING 
When walking up snipe it is usually recommended they should be 
approached down -wind if possible, yet experience teaches it is a more 
deadly plan to proceed across the wind, for then the zigzag course, so 
baffling when a snipe first commences its flight, ceases to offer any 
difficulty. Going down-wind answers well on a day when snipe rise a 
little into the air and hang for a moment, showing the white under - 
parts of the plumage, and if that moment can be seized, the mark offered 
is quite an easy one. But sometimes the snipe dart off in a different 
fashion, and, commencing at once to twist, require a skilful shot to bring 
them down. Very apt are they to essay this trick when thoroughly 
alarmed after watching the approach of the shooter, and a frightened 
snipe, flinging itself downhill, with a wind behind it, is one of the most 
difficult shots any game-bird can present. If approached up -wind snipe 
are apt to fly so low they only just skim over the ground, and when flying 
thus over withered grass and rushes they are difficult to see clearly enough 
to bring the gun to bear upon them, for their zigzag course is apt to be 
displayed at the same time in their best and most tortuous manner. 
It is when meeting the wind that they can employ their long wings to the 
best advantage. The twisting flight does not, however, last very long, 
and the bird soon settles down to a more uniform course, so that on days 
when snipe are lying well, getting up close to the shooter, and flying at 
a moderate speed, it often happens that by waiting a second or two before 
firing, a snipe has ceased its erratic flight and then affords a steady and 
easy shot. 
There is a knack in shooting snipe, and plenty of practice will usually 
develop it. As the bird soon commences to rise, often imperceptibly, 
it is necessary to aim well above it, when flying away from the 
shooter. The size of shot generally considered the most suitable for snipe 
shooting is No. 8 ; the gun must be a light one ; and the wrists and forearm 
should be supple and elastic, for no one with stiff, wooden wrists can 
follow the twisting of a snipe, or ever become a notable snipe -shot. 
The little jack snipe is a winter visitor to our shores, and has never 
been proved to breed in this country. Its tameness is remarkable, for 
it usually lies till it is almost trodden upon, and even after being fired 
at will pitch again almost within shot. Sometimes, however, it may be 
termed actually wild! It is easily recognized by having a smaller bill 
in proportion to its size than the ordinary snipe ; and by the central 
stripe on the top of the head being dark, with light -coloured ones out- 
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