COMMON SNIPE. 



AVHOLE SXIPE. SNITE. HEATHER BLEATER. 

 PLATE CLXXIII. FIG. I. 



Scolopax gallinmjo, . . . Pennant. Montagu. 

 Scolojiax gallinaria, .... Gmelin. 

 G-allinago media, .... Shaw. 



Towards the end of March, or beginning of April, 

 the male Snipe begins to call for a mate. 



The nest is commonly placed in the middle of a tuft 

 of grass, rushes, or heather, in a shallow depression in 

 the surface; by the side of water, as also among the 

 heather where watery spots abound on the hill side, 

 often at an elevation of from five hundred to a thou- 

 sand feet above the level of the plain. A few chance 

 stalks furnish its lining, if any be provided at all, 

 which is not always the case. 



The eggs are four in number, and of a very large 

 size in proportion to that of the bird; their colour is 

 pale yellowish, or greenish white, blotted at the larger 

 end with two or three shades of brown. Some are 

 spotted all over with small spots; some are of a clear 

 green ground, some light blue, and others olive brown. 

 Six eggs have several times being found in one nest, as 

 mentioned by the Rev. G. Low, in his "Fauna Orca- 

 densis; but they doubtless must have been the joint 

 contribution of two birds. 



