88 SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 



8'. Bill not distinctly widened and roughened at tip. 



9. Wing less than 4 Ereunetes, p. 93. 



9'. Wing over 4. 



10. Tarsus equal to middle toe and claw. 



11. Wing under 4.00 .... Actitis, p. 100. 

 11'. Wing over 6.50 . . . Heteractitis, p. 98. 

 10'. Tarsus much longer than middle toe and claw. 

 11. Wing with large white patch. 



Symphemia, p. 98. 

 11'. Wing without white patch. 



12. Upper tail coverts white . Totaiius, p. 96. 

 12'. Upper tail coverts dusky. 



Helodromas, p. 97. 



GENUS PHILOHELA. 



228. Philohela minor (GmeL). AMERICAN WOODCOCK. 



Bill long and slender, mandibles grooved and roughened toward end, 

 tip of upper overlapping the under ; nostril small at edge of feathers ; 

 three outer quills abruptly narrowed. 



Upper parts grayish brown, mottled with black ; back of head black, 

 with narrow cross-bars of buffy ; under parts rich buff, darker on throat. 

 Length: 10.50-11.75, wing 4.80-5.70, bill 2.50-2.75, tarsus 1.25. 



Distribution. Eastern United States north to Canada, west to Rocky 

 Mountains in Colorado ; breeds throughout its range. 



Nest. On ground in wooded bottoms, usually by a log or stump, made 

 of leaves and grass. Eggs : 3 or 4, grayish to buffy white, spotted with 

 reddish brown. 



Dr. A. K. Fisher says : " This much sought game bird is in dan- 

 ger of extermination from the barbarous custom of hunting it in 

 spring and summer, just before and during the breeding season." 



GENUS GALLINAGO. 



230. Gallinago delicata (Ord). WILSON SNIPE: JACK SNIPE. 



Bill long and slender, mandibles grooved, roughened, and widened 



toward end ; tip of upper overreaching the 

 lower mandible ; nostril small and at edge 

 of feathers. 



Crown buff, with side stripes of black ; 

 back mainly black with stripes falling into 

 two middle lines of buff and two outer lines 

 of whitish ; neck and breast spotted and 

 streaked with buff, brown, and dusky ; sides 

 barred with black and white ; belly white. 

 Lnuith: 10.50-1 l.i:>, wing 4.90-5.60, bill 

 2.50-2.70, tarsus 1.20-1.80. 



Distribution. - - North America, and south 

 in winter to northern South America, breed- 

 Fig. 102. ing from Colorado and Utah to north of the 



Arctic Circle. 



Nest. -- A grass-lined cavity in marshy ground. Eggs : 3 or 4, grayish 

 olive, spotted and streaked with brown and black. 



The plump j.-ick snipe with the striped back is a prober rather 

 than a wader, as his short legs and long bill attest. He pokes about 



