228 THE ANIMALS OF NEW ZEALAND 



more than tweuty yards, yet they attempt, on rising, the same 

 zig-zag dashes Avhieh make their European congeners so difficult 

 to shoot. After alighting, they generally run some distance. 



The Snares Snipe. 



GaUinago liuegcli. 



Like tlie last, but darker, and the under surface regularly barred with 

 blackish on the breast and abdomen. Length of the wing, 4.3 in.; of the 

 tarsus, 0.9 in. Snares Island. 



The Chatham Island Snipe. 



GaUinago pusUla. 



Above rufous brown, spotted with black and fulvous. Below 

 brownish white, spotted on the breast with brown. A brownish white 

 longitudinal line on the top of the head, and a brown line from the 

 nostrils to the eye. Length of the wing, 3.8 in.; of the tarsus, 0.8 in. 

 Egg — Pinkish buff, with reddish brown spots, closer at the thick end of 

 the egg, where they sometimes form a ring; length, 1.5 in. Chatham 

 Islands. 



Nothing is known about the habits of this bird. 



Order Gaviae. 



Bill simple, long, the nostrils lateral. Wings long, primaries 

 ten visible, the fifth secondary wanting. Tail with twelve 

 feathers. Front toes entirely connected by webs ; the hind toe 

 short and elevated. 



Key 1o the Families. 



1. Bill hooked at the tip. Stercorariidse. 

 Bill not hooked at the tip. 2 



2. Tail forked or graduated. Steruida;. 

 Tail square at the end. Laridfe. 



Familjj Stercorariidac. 



Bill with skin at the base, the tip of the upper mandible hooked. 

 Toes with strong, sharp, hooked claws. 



