SCOLOrACID^ — THE SXIPE FAMILY — MACRORHAMPHUS. 



197 



Hab. North America in general, but chiefly the western portions of the continent ; east to the 

 Mississippi Valley, north to Ahiska, and soutli to South America and the West Indies. Occasional 

 along the Atlantic coast of the United States. 



Char. Adult in summer : Simihir to M. griseus, but abdomen pale cinnamon, like rest of 



fe:vv^^^v;cif^i'\^^^i 



M. griseus scolopaceus, summer plumage. 



lower parts, and without niai'kings, the breast scantily speckled and the sides barred with dusky. 

 TV inter plumage and young : Distinguishable from the corresponding stages of M. griseus only (f) 

 by larger size. 



Wing, 5.40-6.00 (5.74) ; culmen, 2.10-3.00 (2.72) ; tarsus, 1.35-1.75 (1.58) ; middle toe, .95- 

 1.15 (1.01). 



The Ked-breastecl Snipe appears to be common, at different seasons of the year, In 

 nearly all parts of Xorth America, from the Pacific to the Atlantic shores. During 

 the winter it is found in our Gulf States, in Mexico, in Central and South America, 

 and the West Indies. It breeds, in favorable localities, from lat. 44'' IST. to the Arc- 

 tic Ocean. Occasional specimens have been taken in Bermuda. 



Mr. Salvin mentions the cax^ture of a single specimen of this bird at San Geronimo, 

 Guatemala ; and afterward speaks of finding it common on the Pacific coast of that 

 region, where it frequented the sand-banks. He used ahvays to see it feeding on the 

 open flats, where there was no cover whatever, its habits strongly contrasting in this 

 respect Avith those of the common Snipe. This bird and the Scolajxix rusticola of 

 Europe seemed to him to represent two extremes as regards choice of feeding-grounds, 

 the true Snipe occupying an intermediate place in their preference for grass and 

 seeds. It is found along the whole Pacific coast ; and though it has not been noticed 

 in the more southern portions of California, it has been taken in Chili, and, on the 

 eastern side, in Brazil. ]\[r. Dall met with it at Pastolik and at the mouth of the 

 Yukon, where, however, it was not common. Mr. E. Browne mentions it in his list 

 of the birds of Vancouver Island. Dr. Cooper, while he had not met with it in 

 Southern California, found it common in the middle of that State from September to 

 April, frequenting the borders of marshes, ponds, and sand-bars in large flocks, but 

 not so common near the sea-coast. He also found it in the interior among the Cor- 

 dilleras. Great numbers are brought to the San Francisco market, where they are 

 regarded as among the best of the smaller game-birds. 



This Snipe is given by Leotaud as a regular visitant in the Island of Trinidad, 

 coming from July to October. It is usually in flocks, and unmixed with other 

 Waders, but is occasionally accompanied by the Yellowshanks. It is spoken of as 

 keeping principally about the borders of the sea, and also as being frequently found 

 in the marshy grounds not distant from the shore. Its flight is not very rapid, and 

 in taking to wing it does not make any very decided turnings. Its habits, he remarks, 

 are very similar to those of Micropalama himantopus. 



