THE BIRD BOOK 



SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, Family SCOLOPACID^ 



Members of this family are long-legged waders, of either large or small size, 

 and found either about streams or ponds in the interor or along the coasts. 

 They feed upon small shell fish, or insects which they get usually by probing 

 in the^ soft nuul. 



r;^^ 



American Woodcock. 

 Wilson's Snipe 



227. European Woodcock, 

 Scolopax rusticola. 



This European bird is similar to the American 

 Woodcock, but is larger and is barred beneath. 

 * Their habits are the same as those of our species. 



228. Woodcock. Philohela minor. 



Range. — Eastern North America, north to the 

 British Provinces, breeding throughout its range. 



This is one of the most eagerly sought game 

 birds of the east. Their flight is very rapid and 

 erratic, and accompanied by a peculiar whistling 

 sound made by the rapid motion of the wings; it 

 requires a skillful 

 marksman to 

 bring them down. 

 They frequent 

 boggy places es- 

 pecially "runs" 

 lined with alders, 

 where they bore 

 in the soft ground 

 for worms and 

 grubs. Their 

 eggs are laid up- 

 on the bare 

 ground among 



the leaves and sticks; they are of about the color 

 of dead leaves, as is also the bird, making it quite 

 difficult to discover their nests. They lay three 

 or four eggs of a buffy color, with yellowish brown 

 spots. Size 1.50x1.15. 



i3uffy gray. 



[229.] European Snipe. Gallinago gallinago. 



A common species in Europe; of casual or accidental appearance in Green- 

 land. The bird does not differ essentially from our Snipe and its habits are 

 the same. 



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