SCOLOPACID.E — THE S^^IPE FAMILY — GALLIXAGO. 193 



Sp. Char. Exceedingly similar to G. JF-ilsoni, tlie difference in coloration scarcely definable. 

 Tail-feathers usually 14 instead of 16, the outer pair with the Ijasal half of the inner -web dusky, 

 the terminal half pale creamy-rufous, tipped with white, and crossed by two bars of blackish ; 

 the outer web whitish, with about four dusky bars. Lining of the wing mostly white. Wing 

 averaging shorter (5.00-5.30), and bill longer (cuhnen :i.yO-3.00), than in G. Wilsoni ; tarsi and 

 toes also longer (tarsus, 1.25-1.45 ; middle toe, 1.15-1.40). 



By colors alone it is hardly possible to distinguish this species with certainty from G. Wilsoni ; 

 the difference in proportions, however, appears quite constant, G. ccelcstis having the bill decidedly 

 longer, as are also the tarsi and toes, while the wings are shorter. 



The diff"erence in the number of tail-feathers appears to be by no means constant (cf. Harting, 

 "Hand-book Brit. Birds," 1872, i^p. 143, 144, footnote). 



This species, the Common Snipe of Europe, occurs not unfrequently in Greenland, 

 and occasionally in Bermuda. It has not been, so far as knowai, detected in ]S' ortli 

 America, though its accidental occurrence may be looked for as quite probable. 

 Its rare appearance in Bermuda, though unchallenged, can only be regarded as 

 an accident. One Avas said to have been taken by Major Wedderburn, Dec. 24, 

 1847, and a second on the 29th of the same month. In Greenland, on the other 

 hand, it Avas so common that Eeinhardt has no doubt that it breeds there. This, 

 however, is simply conjectural — no eggs of this species having been obtained in that 

 country. 



This species has a pretty general distribution over Europe, appearing in the south- 

 ern portions during the wintry months, and going to the more northern countries 

 during the season of reproduction. 



In the British Islands it is found more or less abundant throughout the year. A 

 limited number continue during the summer, and breed in all parts, from the southern 

 counties of England to the mountains of Scotland, being more numerous in the 

 northern districts. In the fall the numbers are greatly increased by migrants 

 coming from more northern breeding-places. 



It is a common species throughout Scandinavia, where it is migrator}^, only appear- 

 ing in March, and leaving soon after the close of the breeding-season. Mr. Lloyd, in 

 his "Field-Sports of the North of Europe," states that he found it very numerous in 

 the marshes in the vicinity of Gothenburg. Linmeus, in his '• Tour in Lapland," states 

 that on the 14th of ]\[ay. when near Gefle, he heard the note of the Snipe in the 

 marshes continually. It breeds in extensive morasses and swamps in the mountain- 

 ous districts of XorAvay and Sweden, as Avell as in the smaller bogs of the cultivated 

 districts. From the northern parts of Scandinavia it migrates south in the middle 

 of August ; but in the south of Sweden it lingers until October. 



In the summer this bird extends its migrations to the Faroe Islands, Iceland, and 

 Greenland, and is also found at the same season in all the northern portions of Eussia 

 and Siberia, breeding as far to the south as France, Germany, Holland, Hungary, and 

 Illyria. 



In the winter it extends its migrations to Spain, Italy, Sicily, and Malta. This 

 bird is said to be abundant in the marshes about Smyrna, and to be also found in 

 Low^er Egypt. It is mentioned by Messrs. Blakiston and Pryer ("Ibis," 1878, p. 222) 

 as common throughout Japan. The birds referred to by jNIr. Swinhoe as G. Wilsoni 

 (" Ibis," 1875, p. 454) Avere probably of this species, in their autumnal plumage. They 

 had been received from Hakodadi. 



In England, the native Snipes are reinforced by the great flights that take place 

 from I^orway and other northern parts of Europe, arriA^ing in the greatest numbers 

 in the beginning of November. They do not remain long in any one situation, but 

 VOL. I. — 25 



