342 
WILSON’S SNIPE. 
either man or dog to approach within fifty yards of it. This, however, 
depends much on the state of the atmosphere. The finer and warmer the 
day, the easier I have found it to get near them, and the smaller is the 
distance at which they realight ; whereas during drizzly weather, they fly off 
to a great distance. When the Snipe alights within sight, and you are 
concealed and silent, its movements can easily be observed. It first stands 
for an instant in a half crouching attitude, as if to listen, then raises itself and 
runs a few steps, when, if it be in any degree apprehensive of danger, it 
squats, and there remains until put up. If all around is quiet, you see it 
move in its ordinary manner, walking lightly, and with some grace, its bill 
half inclined downwards, in search of a good spot to probe for food. The 
instant it meets with this it sets to work, and thrusts its bill into the mud or 
the damp soil, to a depth determined by the degree of softness of the ground, 
repeating its thrusts eight, ten, or more times in quick succession. When it 
has thus examined a spot, and perhaps found some food, it walks off in 
search of another, and thus continues until it is satisfied, when it generally 
lays itself down in a soft tuft of grass until the approach of night, when it 
flies off and rambles about for exercise in comparative security. When 
wounded, it runs with moderate speed, but, if closely pursued, squats 
whenever a good opportunity occurs. It will at times continue to run for 
fifty or more yards, after which, if you have not a good dog, it is next to 
impossible to find it, for on such occasions it remains perfectly silent. 
While travelling eastward from Charleston, in the month of March, I found 
this Snipe perhaps more abundant near the Great Santee river than any 
where else. We could see them with ease from the carriage as they were 
walking over the rice-fields, as if in perfect assurance of security. 
The food of our Common Snipe consists principally of ground-worms, 
insects, and the juicy slender roots of different vegetables, all of which tend 
to give its flesh that richness of flavour and juicy tenderness, for which it 
is so deservedly renowned, it being equal to that of the Woodcock. Many 
epicures eat up both Snipe and Woodcock with all their viscera, worms and 
insects to boot, the intestines in fact being considered the most savoury 
parts. On opening some newly killed Snipes, I have more than once found 
fine large and well-fed ground worms, and at times a leech, which I must 
acknowledge I never conceived suitable articles of food for man, and, for 
this reason, I have always taken good care to have both Snipes and Wood- 
cocks well cleaned, as all game ought to be. 
To Wilson is due the merit of having first shewn the difference between 
this bird and the Common Snipe of Europe ; and it is honourable for the 
ornithologists of that region of the globe to have dedicated our species to so 
zealous and successful a student of nature. I have, however, been surprised 
