CATALOGUE OF VERTEBRATES. 589 



son ; tail ashy ; rest of body glossy greenish black. Length, 15 

 inches ; tail, 3 inches ; tarsus, 4 inches. 



" Not as numerous as the preceding species, but by no means 

 rare. Arrives in May, and is again more plentiful in August. 

 Some few breed in the salt marshes, building a nest of grass, in 

 grass. They are similar to the preceding in their habits. 

 Known often as ' lawyers.' " 



Family SCOLOPACIDiE. 



Snipe. 



PHILOHBLA, Gray. 

 P. minor, Gmel. American Woodcock. 



Toes not webbed ; bill straight, longer than head ; first three 

 primaries attenuate ; eye high and far back ; plumage variegated 

 brown, gray, russet, with black spots; below warm brown. 

 Length, 11 inches; bill, 3 inches; tarsus, 1^ inches. 



" Very abundant in some sections of the State. Never found 

 very far from farm-houses. Builds a nest of grass, nearly on 

 the ground, sometimes as early as March. Raises two broods, 

 the young of the latter brood not often able to fly by July 5th, 

 when wise(?) legislation permits them to be shot. Disappear 

 and moult in August. Re-appear in September, a wary, strong 

 bird. In the summer, haunt willow hedges. In October, drier 

 ground, generally hillsides." 



SOOLOPAX, L. 



S. rusticola, L. European Woodcock. 



First primary, only, attenuate ; general appearance of pre- 

 ceding, but larger. European. Accidental on Atlantic coast. 



GALLINAGO, Leach. 

 G. delicata, Ord. [wilsoni, Temm.) Wilson's Snipe. American Snipe. 

 Toes not webbed ; primaries not attenuate ; bill straight, about 

 twice as long as head ; back blackish, varied with bay ; crown 



