278 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF 



Family CHARADRIIDyE. Genus Scolopax. 



Sub-family SCOLOPACIN^. 



GREAT SNIPE. 



Scolopax major, G^jielin. 



(British : Rare abnormal spring and autumn migrant.) 



Single Brooded. Laying season, late in May and in June. 



Breeding area : Western Palsarctic region. The 

 Great Snipe breeds in Holland, Denmark, Northern 

 Germany, Poland, throughout Scandinavia, and in 

 Russia from as far south as lat. 50°, north to the coast. 

 In Western Siberia it appears to breed as far north as 

 lat. 6'j\'' in the valley of the Obb, but only to 661" in 

 the valley of the Yenesay, which is probably its eastern 

 limit. 



Breeding habits : The Great Snipe arrives at its 

 Scandinavian breeding grounds during the latter half 

 of May, but in the Arctic regions further east in the first 

 half of June. Whilst on migration and during the 

 pairing season the Great Snipe is somewhat gregarious. 

 When mating, the males appear often to collect into 

 parties, and go through various strange antics in the air 

 and on the ground. Mr. Seebohm relates how he has 

 watched them " stretch out their necks, throw back the 

 head almost upside down, and open and shut their 

 beaks rapidly, uttering a curious noise like that pro- 

 duced b}^ running the finger along the edge of a comb." 

 Sometimes these notes were uttered just after the bird 

 had taken a short flight, or spread its wings and tail. 

 As many as six birds were counted in the air together, 

 during this singular tournament, in another locality. 

 The favourite breeding grounds of this Snipe are in 

 swamps, especially those in which bare patches of mud. 



