154 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE. 



yellowish buif, speckled with chestnut brown. TLe young 

 can run about as soon as hatched, and it has been observed 

 that the parents cany them in their feet from one place to 

 another. There are two broods in the season. Some are 

 much darker than others. 



Snipe. — The general appearance of this bird bears a 

 strong resemblance to the last, but is of a lighter colour 

 underneath, and much smaller. Like the woodcock, it 

 arrives in England for the winter, though a good many 

 couples remain to breed. It frequents marsh}' spots and the 

 banks of streams, where it is able to find suitable food, 

 worms and insects of various kinds. The flight of this 

 bird is very swift and erratic, so that it is reckoned good 

 sport, and, like the woodcock, is in much request as a 

 delicacy for the table. The Jack Snipe is smaller and 

 darker than the common snipe. 



Dunlin. — This bird is brown above, white on the throat 

 and breast, black on the belly, and white again on the vent 

 and under tail coverts. The wing coverts have a tinge of 

 blue grey. The long bill is horn-colour, and the legs and 

 feet green. 



It is usually found on the coast, where it feeds on marine 

 in.sects and small Crustacea. The eggs are four in number, 

 and vary mucli in colour ; the nest is placed on the open 

 ground near the sea, and sometimes among long grass or 

 other cover. Length, about 8 inches; female a little 

 larger, but otherwise resembles the male. Resident. 



Knot. — General colour rufous brown, darker above than 

 below, spotted with white on the wing coverts. Bill, legs, 

 and feet greenish ; ilights and tail dark grey. It is of 

 migratory habits, arriving in August and departing in 

 May ; some, however, remain to breed. Food — marine 

 insects, etc. Length, 10 inches. The female is duller in 

 appearance. 



