146 



Descriptive and Historical Notices 



many at a shot. In the latter part of November they gradu- 

 ally take their departure, and, except a few stragglers, are 

 not to be met with before the months of February and March 

 in the following spring. 



I cannot give you much certain information respecting the 

 food of snipes. I have killed them with small red worms, with 

 grubs of beetles, and small shell snails in their mouths. On 

 examining the contents of their gizzards, little is to be disco- 

 vered of their food, which is speedily comminuted by the pow- 

 erful operation of that muscle. Pebbles, sand, and small 

 dark seeds (apparently of a Juncus), are usually found in the 

 gizzard. The seeds are probably intended to break the food, 

 more than to constitute nourishment. There is likewise vege- 

 table fibre contained in the stomach. 



Here, Mr. Editor, my narrative must close, and I invite 

 naturalists and sportsmen in the southern and western parts 

 of this kingdom, to take up the history of the genus, where I 

 am under the necessity of closing it, and communicate it 

 through the medium of your Magazine. 



I shall conclude these observations with some useful re- 

 marks, external and anatomical, which a medical friend of 

 mine has furnished me with, regarding the specific differences 

 of this natural family. 



aSco'lopax. 



Anatomical Character, — Each species has a gall bladder, 

 two cae^ca {Jig. 33. a a\ and an appendix (h) situated a little 

 higher up the intestines. 



Tibia feathered to the Knee, 



Sc. rusttcola[Wood- 

 coc^).(/^. 32.)— Tail 

 feathers 1 2, four trans- 

 verse black marks at 

 the back part of the 

 head, with three paler 

 ones. 



Length, 13|in. 

 Length of bill, Sin. 

 Extent, 25 in. 

 Weight, 12 oz. 



35 ^ 



^ ^ Anat, Char, Cae^ca two eighths of 



^ — /^ o _ an inch long. The gizzard contained 



^O O' ^ vegetable fibres of a green colour (very 



much resembling moss), small black flat seeds, a pebble, and 



sand. 



