COMMON SNIPE. 



SCOLOPACID^.] 



GALLINAGO CCELESTIS (Feenzel). 



Explanation of Plate. 



Figure 1. Steeton, Yorkshire, April 12, 1889. 



„ 2. Winfrith, Dorset, May 13, 1891. 



„ 3. Wool, Ditto. May 23, 1893. 



„ 4. Ditto. Ditto. 



„ 5. Midgarth, Stronsay, April 9, 1893. j In collection of H. Massey, Esq. 



„ 6. Wool, Dorset, May 15, 1892. 



„ 7. Ditto. May 23, 1893. 



„ 8. Aberdeen, May 15, 1892. 



„ 9. Wool, Dorset, May 14, 1892. 



This species is a common winter visitor, considerable numbers remaining to 

 breed throughout the British Islands. 



Referring to the Common Snipe, Mr. H. Saunders writes*: — "This species still 

 breeds in England and Wales wherever drainage has not abolished the localities 

 suited to its habits, and it is comparatively abundant in the marshes of Suffolk, 

 Norfolk, and Lincolnshire, while generally distributed on the northern moorlands, 

 and up to a considerable elevation in Scotland and Ireland. The birds produced 

 in the British Islands are few, however, compared to those which annually visit 

 us in October and November, when many are killed by striking against the 

 lanterns of lighthouses. These migrants, though they frequently shift their 

 ground under the influence of the weather, often remain through the winter till 

 March." 



Describing the habits of the Common Snipe, Macgillivray writes as 

 follows f: — " Beautiful are those green woods that hang upon the craggy sides 

 of the fern-clad hills, where the heath-fowl threads its way among the tufts of 

 brown heath, and the Cuckoo sings his ever-pleasing notes as he balances himself 

 on the grey stone, vibrating his fan-like tail. Now I listen to the simple song of 



* ' Manual of British Birds,' p. 557. 



t ' History of British Birds, Indigenous and Migratory,' vol. iv. pp. 371-373. 



