THE SNIPES. 



There are several birds bearing the general name of Snipe, and some of these we shall 

 proceed to describe. 



THE GKEAT SNIPE.* 



This bird seems long to have been confounded with the Common Snipe, and only to 

 have been distinguished from it as the result of careful examination. It is often called 

 the Double or Solitary Snipe. Sir Humphrey Davy remarks : — " An excellent sportsman, 

 and good observer, informs me, that in the great royal decoy, or marsh-preserve, near 

 Hanover, he has had ocular proofs of double snipes being I'aised from the nest there ; but 

 these birds require solitude, and perfect quiet, and, as their food is peculiar, they demand 

 a great extent of marshy meadow. Their stomach is the thinnest amongst birds of the 

 ScoIopctJc tribe ; and their food seems to be entirely the larvte of Tiptthv, or congenerous 

 flies." 



The following particulars, in re%ence to this bird, were given to Mr. Hewitson by 

 Mr. Hay : — " There is no doubt that by far the greater number of the great snipe retire 

 to the swamps of the north to breed ; still a considerable number are spread over the fens 

 and morasses of HoUand, and have hitherto escaped observation during the time of 

 breeding. It may, however, be met with during that season, though not in great num- 

 bers, in the marshy districts h'ing between Gouda and Goriucheru, and an extensive 

 fenny tract, abounding in peat bogs, in the eastern part of Dutch Brabant." A few of 

 these birds breed in Germany, and they have been found in France, Holland, Switzerland, 

 and Italy. Their length is about twelve inches. ^ 



THE JACK SNlPE.f 



This is one of Britaia's regular winter visitants. It is a small species, being only 

 about one-half the size and weight of the common snipe, that is, about two ounces. It is 

 a very beautiful little bird ; the scapulars, rump, and other parts of the back being 

 glossed with rich metallic reflexions of purple, bronze-colour, and green. 



At the season when almost all birds fly readilj', and when some species, which are 

 dispersed and obscure in the breeding season, congregate together and are much in sight 

 and upon the wing, the jack snipe lurks and conceals itself in the herbage, and will 

 almost allow itself to be trampled upon before it will take wing. In winter it keeps 

 much more under cover, and further into the marsh than the common snipe. Sir 

 Humphrey Davy was informed at Copenhagen, that the jack snipe certainly breeds i\\ 

 Zealand, and he saw a nest with its eggs, said to be from the Island of Sandholm, 

 opposite Copenhagen. He says : " I have no doubt that this bird sometimes makes its 

 nest in the marshes of Holstein and Hanover. The jack snipe feeds ujoon smaller 

 insects than the common snipe : small white larvae, such as are found in black bogs 

 are its favourite food, but I have generally found seeds in its stomach, once hempseeds, 

 and always gravel." 



* Scolopax Major.— Pcnii. t Scolopax Gallimda. 



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