The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-05-20
Tho English Snipe.

a popularity OF good snipc ground Is
its seeming incxhaustibility. A well stocked
but small haunt of quail, prairie chicken,
or any land bird save snipc and woodcock,
Is soon depleted by sharp shooting, nor
will ii recover until the following season.
But with snipc the case is wholly different
You raise possibly hundred birds to-day,
and kill off couple Of dozen. Tomorrow,
there seems about as many, and your sue
cess corresponds with that of yesterday !;
so through whole week, perhaps, with
apparnily no marked addition or suhtrac-
tion from the quantity of game when
you dcsist. Whence they come is one OF
tho mysteries Of snipc history. If very
considerable tract were 80 laid under trib-
ute, such results would excite no surprise ;
but when the whole area travelled over Is
but few acres, 1t Is a matter of astonlsh-
mcnt. We have in mind bit of the choic-
est kind of snipc ground, mile and half
long, and from few yards to all eighth of
q mile in width, that at the height of the
season presents this characteristic in a
marked degree. A couple of guns have
brushed over 1t for an hour or two each
morning and evening duringa week, taking
off from ten to fifteen souple daily, and
leaving the ground rs fat as they found it.
In shooting, remember that they always
rise against the wind 80 make Il wide de-
tour II necessary, TO come upon the wind
ward end Of the ground and then beat to
its furthcrmOst point. The motions of the
bird in the air arc very rapid, twisting and
peiplcXing, and none other require more
careful observance of their flight before
you can hope for success in shooting. The
best days for seeking him are when first til
weather has become warm and calm, or
with southcrly, moist breeze, after Il sc
we're, long, cold storm from the north,
northeast or northwest. The birds take
advantage OF the change to feed on the
marshes they half deserted during tho
boistcrous weather. ~ warm day follow
ing slight hoar frost is also excellent. On
tho favorable days the birds lie well,
even in the bare open marsh from which
the ice and spring ireshets have swept all
covert. They betakc themselves to little
dcpressions in the ground, hiding behind
swalcs. hillocks and little ridges, and div
ing into little sunkcn spots. Although at
other timos they would rise we'll oul of DIS
tance when you walked across so bald Il
ground, yet now they seem content to rest
after long buffcting with the fierce, strong
winds. Such ground and such days arc to
be marked with a white stone by tho I'LL
happy man whose good fortune has brought
him timely There. For Spring shooting,
use wading stockings, high watcr-tight
leather boots. You do not now need to
travel over wide extent of country, and the
water is of the coldcst. In the fall, ordinary
boots, no matter how holcy, or stout shoes,
with lcggings are better. You must travel
longer distances, and will hardly confinc
your whole day to this spot. Therefore, the
exercise and the warmer water will keep
you safe from harm through wet feet. If
you keep in motion, the blood will circu-
late freely, and wet stockings feel warm
but do not sit down on a log for a long rest,
no matter how wcarictl, Or you will quickly
chill, probably laying the foundation for II
serious cold OF future siege of rheumatism.