344 
WILSON’S SNIPE. 
together, each more or less distinct, perhaps according to the state of the 
atmosphere. The sounds produced are extremely pleasing, though they fall 
faintly on the ear. I know not how to describe them, but I am well assured 
that they are not produced simply by the beatings of the wings, as at this 
time tl\e wings are not flapped, but are used in sailing swiftly in a circle not 
many feet in diameter. A person might cause a sound somewhat similar by 
blowing rapidly and alternately from one end to another, across a set of 
small pipes consisting of two or three modulations. This performance is 
kept up until incubation terminates, but I never observed it at any other 
period. Our Woodcock produces a somewhat similar sound at the same 
season, and also at times on fine autumnal evenings, as I shall mention more 
particularly when describing that bird. 
In confinement, our Common Snipe feeds freely on moistened Indian corn 
meal, mixed with some insects, but rarely becomes as gentle as the Wood 
cock in similar circumstances. When approached, it droops its wings and 
runs round its place of confinement, even should it be a small room, keeping 
its tail spread out on the side next you. If the bird is confined in a small 
space in front of you, it alternately throws the tail upwards, and spreads it 
in the manner mentioned at every successive turn to and from each corner. 
Sometimes it emits a lisping sound, but is more usually silent. 
Mr. T. M. MacCulloch writes me thus: — “In your article upon the 
Snipe, you seem to be unable to say whether the male incubates or not. I 
am inclined to think he does not. A pair of them have a nest this year 
close to our house, though I have not been able to find the spot. During 
any hour of the day, for some time past, the male could be heard uttering 
his curious notes in circles high up in the sky, beyond the reach of sight, 
and at night, even as late as eleven o’clock, I have heard him serenading his 
beloved with as much ardour as any lover who ever tried to win his way by 
music to his mistress’ heart. The Snipe flies low at night, and in circles, as 
in the day ; but it is only in particular spots and at short intervals that the 
sound is heard. The note is exceedingly like the winnowing noise which 
the wings of Pigeons make when alighting on the ground, and I have never 
yet been able to determine whether it is actually the voice of the Snipe 
which is heard, or whether it is produced by the bird’s stopping in certain 
parts of his course and beating the air in some particular way with his 
wings.” 
Scolopax Wilsonii, Bonap. Syn., p. 330. 
Snipe, Scolopax GalUnago, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. vi. p. 18. 
Scolopax Wilsonit, Wilson's Snipe , Swains, and Rich. F. Bor. Amer., vol. ii. p. 401. 
Wilson’s Snipe, Nutt. Man., vol. ii. p. 185. 
American Snipe, Scolopax Wilsonii, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. iii. p. 322 ; vol. v. p. 583. 
