Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-03-15
advancing civilization has now driven
III ON 10 Wildnr nnrfs

advancing civilization has now driven
them to wilder parts.
1t may be that the English snipe as
well as the other sorts which make
lengthy journey, as with the papa
bake"-Our upland or grass plover-of
Louisiana. are capable of conveying Il
supply of food among the plumage.
TaxidermiSts who have prepared the
skins of "papabdkeS, shot immediate
lv after arrival in Louisiana from the
Arctic circle. have observed attached to
their feathers number Of a species Of
small moluSkS, found only in very high
ATTITUDES. 1t is possible, therefore, that
the English snipe may avail themselves
of similar provision, as a means Of
sustenance, during an enforced halt on
the long journey, where other food is
not obtainable.
English snipe shooting in the spring
has been subject TO many animadver-
sions. 1t is claimed that a female bird
killed at that season means the de-
struction of brood of several. This
argument may be carried still further,
to the effect that female killed at any
time will be productive OF the same re-
suits. Whether she be destroyed con-
tanning developed eggs or not, the
germs of reproduction are always pres
ent, and her death at any season means
equally the loss of so many young.
If spring shooting were abolished,
there can be no question that the spar
ing Of females at that season, so far as
the question of an increase is concerned,
would be of vast benefit TO the shooting
in the autumn; but as the former is with
certain local exceptions permitted
northern sportSmen will not be able TO
resist the opportunity which that sport
offers as the irst-aside from duck
shooting-which can be availed Of after
the close of winter.
OF the equipment, personal and ma
terial, to successfully hunt English
snipe, the first is found on that individ-
ual who when on marshy ground moves
slowly, but who when the bird Pushes,
is celebrity itself in handling the gun.
Many sportsmen on oozy, yielding
marsh endeavor TO move as rapidly as
on the firmer footing Of the uplands
This is mistake iDasmuch as the ef-
fort to accomplish it involves so much
larger output of muscular effort that
fatigue quickly Supervenes. with a con-
seQuent unsteadiness Of aim. No bird
which has been flushed and marked
down may be approached more leisure
ly than the English snipe. When it
alights and is disposed TO feed it is so
closely intent upon this purpose; and it
works slowly TO the wnward not de-
waiting more than four or five yards
from a direct course The longer the
interval which elapseS before it is again
flushed the better the chance for pos
sible shot. Many sportsmen make the
mistake Of Fastening too rapidly toward
the spot where they have marked down
a bird, and it frequently happens that
when they have reached the place
where they suppose it TO be, one will
flush out of gunshot, either to the right
or left. This they suppose to be the In
dividual one which they are in pursuit
of, and consequently turn off. instead
OF following on in direct
course, when nine times out OF ten they
will flush the snipe OF which they are
in search. This is supposable only in
the case where the services OF dog are
not availed of. In hunting with such,
the setter will be found the better. IL
must, however, be specially trained Tor
the purpose; for one which is most ad-