The Curlew.'] OF ORKNEY. 81 



The curlew is here reckoned excellent eating, and much 

 sought after ; by some preferred to all other wild-fowl. 



GENUS XFJIL— WOODCOCKS, OR SNIPE-KIND. 



Gen. Char. — Bill two inches long and upwards; slender, straight, and weak; 

 nostrils straight and linear ; tongue pointed, slender ; toes divided, or very 

 slightly connected ; back toe very small. 



Species 1. — The Snipe. 



The Snipe, or Snite, JVil. Om. 290. Rail Syn. Av. 105. Scolopax Gallinago, 

 Lin. ;5ys. 244. Brit. Zool. 358. Brit. Zool. Illus. tab.7l. Jig. 1. Ore. 

 Myre-Snipe, Horsegok. 



The Snipe continues with us the whole year ; builds in the 

 wet marshy hills, commonly in a tuft of rushes, where it lays 

 from four to six (I have seen the latter number several times) 

 eggs ; in winter shifts as well as it can about the sea and 

 spring-heads which are not frozen. 



Though small, is very good eating, but seldom above one 

 seen in one place. 



In summer it makes an odd drumming noise in the air, 

 which our country folks take for a sign of rain ; at this time 

 it is at a great height in the air, flying backwards and for- 



