132 Mr. H. Seebohm on the Genus Scolopax. 



S. undulata. S. giyuntea. 

 in. in. 



Wing 6-6i 6|-7 



Bill 4-4| 4i-5 



Tarsus li 2\ 



Middle toe 2^ 2| 



Probably a large series of examples would show that the 

 two forms completely intergrade. In both forms several of 

 the outer feathers of the tail (which is supposed to cousist of 

 only fourteen feathers) are attenuated. 



We must now take into consideration a very important 

 group of typical Snipes^ the creme cle la creme of the genus — 

 possibly the most highly developed, because showing the 

 least trace of Woodcock blood and the closest relationship 

 amongst themselves. Although there are ten of them, they 

 vary so little that they must be regarded as having had a 

 common origin at a comparatively recent date. But perhaps 

 the most remarkable fact connected with them is their 

 geographical distribution, which may throw considerable 

 light upon the anomalies already pointed out in the distri- 

 bution of the Semi-Woodcocks. 



Ten species inhabit Africa south and east of the Great 

 Desert; three breed in Eastern Siberia; and the remainder 

 are natives of South America, principally the south and 

 west of that continent. These facts can only point to one 

 conclusion — that the original colony Avas in East Siberia, and 

 that when the Glacial epoch drove them out of that region 

 some emigrated east to the west coast of South America, 

 whilst others wandered westwards to the east coast of Africa. 



15. Scolopax stenura. 



Of the three East-Siberian species the Pintail Snipe is the 

 smallest (wing 4'9 to 5"3 inches) , with the greatest number of 

 tail-feathers (twenty-four), and with the outer half-dozen or 

 so on each side the most attenuated (about "1 inch in width). 

 It breeds as far north as the Arctic Circle, from the valley of 

 the Yenesay tp the Pacific. It is doubtful whetlier it breeds 

 as far south as the valley of the Amoor, but it winters in 

 India, China, and the islands of the Malay Archipelago. 



