THE SUMMER-SNIPES. 
285 
the variety of places in which the species is encountered. In 
May I have found it in pairs, in full breeding plumage, on 
the sides of the lake in Avington Park in Hainpshire ; and the 
specimens which my friend, the late bir Edward Shelley, 
allowed me to procure for the British Museum, are pre- 
served in the national collection. On its arrival in spring 
the species is not shy, and I found several pairs at Avington, 
where they frequented the shores of the lake for several days 
before passing northward. The habits of the old birds m 
spring arc exactly similar to those of the .species in autumn, ex- 
cepting that, at the latter time of year, it is possible to see 
family parties of five or six together. A certain number of 
non-breeding birds remain in the south, for I have met with 
solitary individuals on the shores of the lhaines in June. 
'I'owards the end of July and early in August the migrants 
arrive from the north, and small flocks of half-a-dozen or more 
frequent the edges of the river, or retreat on to the adjacent 
grass-lands, where they run about among the cows, catching 
insects and bobbing their tails after the manner of Wag- 
tails In fact, when feeding or running on the mud, the tail 
of the Summer-Snipe is always in motion. Excepting m the 
case when family parties keep together, and are somewhat 
easily approached, the Summer-Snipe is decidedly a shy bird, 
and the isolated individuals which are met with are not only 
difficult to get within gun-shot, but are always wary in the ex- 
treme. And this is true, not only of those one may encounter 
on the river-side, but also of the stray birds that one meets 
with on the muddy creeks of a tidal harbour. Another aid to 
escape is exhibited by the excellent diving powers of this little 
bird I well remember how, in Romney Hoy, I shotat a Summer- 
cnipe and only wounded it ; so the bird commenced to swim, 
and paddled away at a great rate. Not liking to shoot a bird and 
not preserve it, I waded into the water, fancying that I knew 
every step on the green saltings then covered by the sea ; but 
the bird swam as fast as I could walk, and I was soon knee- 
deep and more in the water. Holding my gun well up, and 
lifting my coat to keep my upper garments dry, I waded 
on to try and head the bird, when in a second I stepped into 
a deep hole, and went head-over-heels beneath the water. 
After that I became reckless, and determined to catch my 
