363 



SCOLOPAX. SNIPE. 



The birds of this genus, varying in size from that of the 

 Ruff to that of the Dunlin, and generally so similar in 

 colour as in some cases to be with difficulty distinguishable, 

 have the body ovate and somewhat compressed ; the neck of 

 moderate length ; the head small and rounded above. The 

 bill about twice the length of the head, flexible, straight, 

 slender, compressed, tapering, with both mandibles grooved 

 for two-thirds of their length, in their terminal third some- 

 what enlarged and scrobiculate, with the tips hard and nar- 

 rowed, but blunt ; that of the lower considerably shorter. 



Mouth very narrow, its roof with two or three longi- 

 tudinal series of pointed and reversed papilla?. Tongue 

 very long, slender, channelled above, tapering to a point. 

 (Esophagus rather narrow, with an oblong proven triculus ; 

 stomach roundish, very muscular, with dense rugous epithe- 

 lium ; intestine of moderate length and width ; coeca mode- 

 rate, cylindrical, narrowed at the commencement. 



Nostrils linear, lateral, basal. Eyes rather small. Aper- 

 tures of ears rather large. Legs rather short, slender ; tibia 

 bare for nearly a fourth ; tarsus compressed, scutellate before 

 and behind ; first toe very small, slender, and elevated ; 

 anterior toes rather long, slender, free ; claws rather long, 

 slender, slightly arched, compressed, acute. 



Plumage rather firm. Wings long, narrow, pointed ; the 

 first quill longest ; the inner secondaries very long. Tail 

 short, of from twelve to twenty -four soft feathers. 



The Snipes inhabit marshy places, in which they search 

 for their food in a hideling manner, They nestle on moors, 

 in moist pastures, meadows, and marshes. The nest is of 

 slight construction, and the eggs are four, very large, pyri- 

 form, olivaceous or yellowish, blotched with dusky. Species 

 are found in most parts of both continents adapted to their 

 habits. 



