. British birds. Birds. LETTERS "DRUMIONG" OF THE SNIPE. To the Editors of British Bieds, Sirs,—In his interesting comments on this subject Captain Lyne» suggests (Vol. VI., p. 356) that Snipe do not "drum" "except at (or near) a district in which the species is known to ; My experience here (South Holdemess) would seem to uphold this as a general rule, while it denies the fact in a particular instance. In this district Snipe do not, so far as I am aware, breed, and though they are plentiful from August to mid-April, I have in the last ten years only twice h
. British birds. Birds. LETTERS "DRUMIONG" OF THE SNIPE. To the Editors of British Bieds, Sirs,—In his interesting comments on this subject Captain Lyne» suggests (Vol. VI., p. 356) that Snipe do not "drum" "except at (or near) a district in which the species is known to ; My experience here (South Holdemess) would seem to uphold this as a general rule, while it denies the fact in a particular instance. In this district Snipe do not, so far as I am aware, breed, and though they are plentiful from August to mid-April, I have in the last ten years only twice heard them " drum," once at a normal (April 6th,. 1909) and once at an abnormal (November 18th, 1912) season, on both occasions after sunset. I would suggest that the difference between the occasional out-of-season " drumming" of the Snipe and the regular winter-song of some other birds is one of degree only, and that one might find regular gradations connecting the two. As an instance I would quote the Lapwing, whose breeding-cry and tumbling flight are not infrequently to be heard and seen on a fine day in October or November. I notice no one records having heard the real (i e. vocal) breeding-song of the Snipe out of season. Keyingham, May 19th, 1913. M. Winzar Compton. To the Editors of British Birds. Sirs,—Whether or not Captain Ljmes is correct in his supposition that the out-of-season " drumming" of the Snipe is connected with an abnormal sexual activity of individual birds, I will not attempt to discuss. In the Yorkshire Derwent Valley great numbers of Snipe nest every year, and during the winter the flooded land often swarms with both Common and Jack Snipe. On many occasions during last winter in the months of October, November, December, January and February, I listened to the " drumming " of Snipe. I now regret that I did not make notes upon the weather-conditions prevailing at the various dates. It has been dtiring the qui
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