SCOLOPA.CID^. 



SCOLOPACID.a. 





Gallinago major (Gmelin*). 

 THE GEEAT SNIPE. 



Scolopax major. 



Gallinago, LeMh t. — Beak very long, straight, slender, flexible, slightly 

 elevateil towards the tip of the upper mandible, which is decurved at the point 

 and projects beyond the lower ; both mandibles grooved over the basal half of 

 their length. Nostrils lateral, linear, basal, covered by a membrane. Legs 

 rather long and slender ; naked space on the tibia short ; tarsus scutellate ; three 

 toes before, long, slender, divided to the base ; hind toe slender, elevated ; claws 

 slender, acute. Tail slightly rounded. Wings moderate, pointed, the first 

 quill-feather the longest ; inner secondaries very long. 



The Great Snipe was first described as a British bird by 

 Pennant, from a specimen killed in Lancashire, preserved in 

 the Leverian Museum, and was at that time considered a 

 very rare bird : it was, however, probably undistinguished by 

 many from the Common Snipe, till specific distinctions 

 among species were closely investigated. 



* Scolopax major, Gmclin, Syst. Nat. i. p. 661 (1788). 

 t Syst. Cat. Mam. an.l Birds Brit. Mus. p. 30 (1816). 



