66 On the Ornilhology of Wilts \_Scolopacid(e]. 



to require comment. T may mention, however, that in addition to 

 the sharp scream with which we are all familiar in the winter, it 

 makes a drumming or bleating noise in the breeding season, and 

 hence is called by the French "chevre volant," and in several 

 other languages words equivalent to the "air-goat," or the "kid 

 of the air." To distinguish it from the succeeding species it is 

 sometimes called the " Whole " Snipe. 



" Jack Snipe." {Scolopax gallinula.) This diminutive species 

 might, with much more reason, be denominated "Solitary" than 

 its largest relative, inasmuch as it is almost always found alone. 

 It utters no cry when it rises from the ground, nor does it fly with 

 such twists as does the preceding ; and it invariably departs to 

 northern countries for breeding purposes. In general habits, 

 feeding and nesting, the Snipes are all alike. It is often called 

 the "Half" Snipe in allusion to its size; and is said to have 

 derived the name of Jack Snipe from an old erroneous supposition 

 that it was the male of the " Common " Snipe. The provincial 

 names of these three species accurately describe their relative size ; 

 the Jack or Half Snipe weighing about two ounces; the Common, 

 Whole, or Full Snipe four ounces ; and the Great or Double Snipe 

 eight ounces. 



"Knot." [Tfinga Canufa.) This is in my judgment one of the 

 most excellent birds for the table : nor am I singular in that 

 opinion ; for however little known to modern epicures, it derives 

 its name, Latin as well as English, from the famous Danish King 

 Knut or Canute, who had an especial liking for the flesh of this, 

 the most delicate perhaps of all the well-flavoured family to which, 

 it belongs. It is a winter migrant, and the mud-flats and sand- 

 banks of the eastern coast literally swarm with the vast flocks of 

 this species : at one moment they will rise simultaneouslj' in a 

 compact bodj', and after a short flight, settle again in close array 

 on the shore : then they will run at the extreme edge of the re- 

 ceding tide, and seek their food in the ooze laid bare by the retreat- 

 ing waves. The numbers which compose these great flocks must 

 be immense, and cannot contain less than many thousands, so wide- 

 spread and at the same time so dense is the cloud, which, with one 



