122 SALMONIA. 



and Carniola, and the double or solitary 

 snipe, become so fat, as to resemble that bird, 

 which was formerly fattened in Lincolnshire, 

 the ruff; and they have, I think, a better fla- 

 vour from being fed on their natural food. 



Hal. — At what time have you eaten them? 



Orn. — I have eaten them both in spring 

 and autumn ; but the autumnal birds are the 

 best, and are like the ortolan of Italy. 



Hal. — Where does the double snipe 

 winter ? 



Orn. — I believe in Africa and Asia Minor. 

 They are rarely seen in England, except driven 

 by an east wind in the spring, or a strong 

 north wind in the autumn. Their natural 

 progress is to and from Finland and Siberia, 

 through the continent of Europe, to and from 

 the east and south.* In autumn they pass 



* From the food, and the remains of food, found in 

 the stomach of the double snipe, I think I have ascer- 

 tained, that it requires a kind of worm, which is not 

 found in winter even in the temperate climes of Europe ; 

 and that it feeds differently from the snipe. There are 

 certainly none found after the end of October in either 

 Ulyria or Italy ; and I believe the same may be said of 

 the end of May, as to their summer migration, or their 

 breeding migration. 1 have opened the stomachs of at 



