The data consists mainly of records of the number of snipe in the 
air at any one moment and the atmospheric conditions affecting this 
activity. It was generally feasible to record only at three and four- 
minute intervals but during erratic behavior the exact moment of an in- 
dividual's "dropping-out! or "coming-up" was recorded. Actually, such 
individual behavior, although not always showing up in the charts of 
activity, was a check on the number of individuals performing during 
that period. 
Some consideration was given to the procurement of an instrument for 
measuring light intensity during these studies but the proper electronic 
device was not available, nor was an instrument sufficiently sensitive to 
record minute atmospheric pressure changes. The only mechanical data 
obtained were those from regular readings of the thermometer at about five 
feet above ground level. Cloud cover was designated in units of ten as 
was the size of the moon on clear moonlight nights. No attempts were made 
to calculate ceiling; fog proved so disagreeable to both birds and observers 
alike that records were discontinued during dense fog, Actual times of 
sunrise and sunset and maximum howrs of daylight during each day were 
obtained from Torbay Meteorological Station, 
Observations were made only on windless nights, or those nearly so, 
when the performing snipe were audible. Thus, the periods were recorded 
under the following atmospheric conditions: 
Post=-sunset Pre-dawn 
Clear moonlight mn 1 
Clear with no moon 7 3 
Overcast 8 h 
Winnowing activity.--A snipe will winnow at any time of the day or 
night although extensive or continuous winnowing is only carried out during 
the twilight hours or on clear moonlight nights. I have recorded a bird 
Winnowing for more than fifteen minutes during a cloudless sunny mid-day 
in late May (1952). If the day is overcast, particularly if overcast and 
warm, sporadic winnowing is almost certain to occur, Occasionally,during 
early May, the aerial activity at night may involve two or more birds fly- 
ing closely together. I have also seen, on several occasions, two winnow- 
ing birds alight and commence to feed together. It is not known what 
roles the two sexes take in these aerial displays. On one occasion early. 
in the season, I flushed three different individuals and each winnowed 
briefly which is an instance when outside influence may stimulate winnow- 
ing, at least to some extent. 
This activity can be observed clearly during the day, early evening 
or on a bright moonlight night. The snipe flies erratically, swooping 
at more or less regular intervals of eight swoops to the minute (early 
May). Some variation in these intervals occurs and it is considered that 
the presence of other individuals may act as a stimulus in speeding up 
this activity. In such cases, either the rate of winnowing may be 
accelerated or the duration of the winnow may be increased, It is not 
considered that the number of snipe performing as tests indicate that 
when three or more individuals are involved approximately 30 of the winnows 
may synchronize. Nearly always, a peculiar vocal "yaking" is a prelude to 
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