def read_head(handle, num_lines=2):
    """Read the specified number of lines from the current position in the file."""
    lines = []
    for idx, line in enumerate(handle):
        if idx == num_lines:
            break
        lines.append(line)
    return "".join(lines)


def sniff_format(handle):
    """
    Detect the tabular format.

    Args:
        handle (text file): A handle to a `text file`_ object. The read position is
        expected to be at the beginning (index 0).

    Returns:
        csv.Dialect: The detected tabular format.

    .. _text file:
        https://docs.python.org/3/glossary.html#term-text-file

    """
    peek = read_head(handle)
    handle.seek(0)
    sniffer = csv.Sniffer()
    if not sniffer.has_header(peek):
        logger.critical("The given sample sheet does not appear to contain a header.")
        sys.exit(1)
    dialect = sniffer.sniff(peek)
    return dialect