NON-INDIGENOUS BRITISH BIRDS. 281 



leaves of the dwarf birch. The bird is a close sitter, 

 its plumage closely resembling surrounding tints, and 

 remains brooding over the eggs until almost trodden 

 upon. Wolley was allowed to approach one nest within 

 six inches before the bird rose. 



Range of egg colouration and measurement : 

 The eggs of the Jack Snipe are four in number, and 

 very large for the size of the bird, a clutch weighing 

 nearly as much as the hen herself. They are pyriform 

 in shape, and vary from buff to olive in ground colour, 

 blotched and spotted with rich reddish- or blackish- 

 brown, and with underlying markings of pale brown 

 and gray. These eggs are very handsome ones. Most 

 of the larger markings are on the major half of the <^gg, 

 where they are often confluent. A few streaks of 

 blackish-brown also frequently occur on this part, whilst 

 the pale underl)ang markings, from their number, size, 

 and distinctness, add, by contrast, to the beauty of the 

 cg^. Average measurement, 1*5 inch in length, by i"0 

 inch in breadth. Incubation appears to be performed 

 by the female, but the duration of the period is unknown. 



Diagnostic characters : The eggs of the Jack 

 Snipe require the most careful identification, as no 

 character can be given by which they can be distin- 

 guished from those of the Common Snipe, the Buff- 

 breasted Sandpiper, the Purple Sandpiper, and some 

 other allied species. If not thoroughly well authenticated, 

 they are simply valueless as scientific specimens. 



