676 BIRDS OF INDIA. 



at the breeding season, was sliown by Meves of Stockholm to 

 depend on the outer tail-feathers ; and the noise can be imitated 

 by drawing- these feathers attaclied to a wire rapidly through the 

 air. The particular sound varies in each species according to 

 the structure of the tail. 



4th. Tail of 12 uniform feathers ; of small size. Lymnocryptes, 

 Kaup. 



872. Gallinago gallinula, Linnaeus. 



Sykes, Cat. 198— Jerdon, Cat. ?)38— Bltth, Cat. 1611— 

 Gould, Birds of Europe, pi. 319. 



The Jack Snipe. . 



Descr. — Crown divided by a black band slightly edged with 

 reddish brown, extending from the forehead to the nape ; beneath 

 this and parallel to it are two streaks of yellowish white, separated 

 by another of black ; a dusky line between the gape and the eye ; 

 back and scapulars black, glossed with green, and with purple 

 reflections ; the scapulars with the outer webs creamy yellow, 

 forming two conspicuous longitudinal bands extending from 

 the shoulders to the tail ; quills dusky ; wing-coverts black, edged 

 with pale brown and white ; throat white ; neck in front and upper 

 breast pale yellow brown tinged with ashy, and with dark longitu- 

 dinal spots ; lower breast and belly pure white ; tail dusky, edged 

 with pale ferruginous. 



Bill bluish at the base, black towards the tip ; irides deep 

 brown ; legs and feet greenish grey. Length 8^ inches ; 

 extent 14 ; wing 4| ; tail not quite 2 ; bill at front If ; tarsus 1. 

 Weight If ozs. 



The Jack Snipe is generally diffused throughout India, pre- 

 ferring thicker coverts than the Common Snipe, lying very close, 

 and difficult to flush. Now and then considerable numbers will 

 be met with ; in other places it is rarely seen. It makes its ap- 

 pearance later than the Common Snipe, and departs earlier, 

 breedins; in the Northern parts of Europe and Asia. 



Various other Snipes are found all over the world. A group 

 from South America is separated by Bonaparte as Xylocola. 



