CALLiyAGO WILSONl. ■Jf^, 



two forward, plunge his bill into the earth, and draw out a woriu which he would swallow, 

 then repeat this performance until all the worms were eaten. After the liird had been in 

 confinement for a few days, it became so tame that it would run and pick \\\> (lie worms 

 that were thrown into its cage, taking two or three in its bill at one time and devouring 

 them eagerly. This Woodcock had a peculiar way of walking and making its way among 

 the weeds, which reminded me more of the Rails than the Sandpipers. I kept it two or 

 three weeks, then finding that it was almost impossible to supply a sufficient number of 

 worms to satisfy its hunger, I gave it liberty to fly from a window. It took a short flight 

 to a potato patch near and eagerly began probing for worms, but finally walked away, 

 disappearing among the weeds. 



The twittering or whistling notes of the Woodcocks, given as they rise, have often at- 

 tracted the attention of writers, some of whom affirm that it is produced by the wings, oth- 

 ers that it is vocal, and I am inclined to the latter hypothesis, as the sound is withheld 

 sometimes and given at others. The song uttered during the breeding season, has also been 

 noticed considerably of late. I have never heard it but the notes are said to be almost as 

 varied as those given by some of our insessorial birds. Judging from the structure of the 

 larynx which is unique among the birds of this order, which I have examined, I should 

 say, that although the notes might be varied, they would all be given in the same tone, 

 which would be decidedly minor; for, as a rule, I think the gradations of tone are produced 

 by the vibrations of the semilunar membrane which is absent in the Woodcocks. Of the 

 migration and autumnal habits of these birds, I shall not write, they being well-known to 

 all sportsmen. 



GENUS II. CiALLINAfiO. THE SMPES. 



Gev. C:i. Bill .more ihan twice as lony as head which is not very large. Leys, short, 7tot feathrrnl to tarsal joint. 

 Outer feathers of primaries not attenuated. Keel, exceeding in height the width of sternum. Marginal indenlalions, two, 

 deep, inclosed in adults. Coracoids, equal in length to height of keel. Hind toe, present. 



The stfmiach is cuboid in furm, quite muscular, anJ lined with a hard, ru<r<ise membrane. Pri)ventriculu«, moderate. 

 Intestines, large and short, with coeca quite long. Sterno-trachealis, not stout, and there is a slight hroncliialis, but no 

 other laryngeal muscles. TxTiipaniforni membrane, present, but there is no os transversale. Sexes, quite similar. There 

 is but one species within our limits. 



GALLINAGO WILSONI. 



Wilson's Snipe. 

 Gallinayo Wilsoni Bun., List; 183S. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Sp. Cii. Form, rather slender. Size, medium. Tongue, fleshy, long, thin, and slender, narrowing toward tip which 

 is pointed. Sternum, stout. 



Color. Adult. Above, very dark-brown, spotted, banded, and streaked, excepting on primaries, with pale reddLsh 

 and wnite. Outer web of first primary, also wliite. Sides of head, yellowish-rufous, wilh lino from bill to eye and one on 

 ear coverts, brown. Belly, abdi.men, under wing c iverts. and axillaries, white, banded with bniwn. Remainder of under 

 portion^, yellowish-reil, banded and streaked, exoeptingon t'vj t'lro it. with bvown. Tail, dark-brown, tipped with whito 

 which is preceded by a brr)ad band of ehe<tniit-re(l, linely barred with lila<-k. 



Youny. Quite similar to the adult, but paler hA.iw and darker and m..re reddish above. Bill, iris and feet, brown, 

 in all stages. 



OBSKKVATIOXS. 

 Readily known by the slender form, long bill, bright chestnut on tail, and other colors aa described. Distributed, ia 

 Bummer, from Northern New England, northward; wintering from the Carolinas, southward. 



