Genus GALLIISTAGO Leach. 

 GALLINAGO DELICATA (Oud.). 



93. Wilson's Snipe. (230) 



Crown, black with a pale middle stripe ; back, varied with black, bright bay 

 and tawny, the latter forming two lengthwise stripes on the scapulars; neck 

 and breast speckled with brown and dusky ; lining of wings, barred with black 

 and white; tail, usually of sixteen feathers, barred with black, white and 

 chestnut ; sides, waved with dusky ; belly, dull white ; quills, blackish, the 

 outer, white edged. Length, 9-11; wing, 4i-5|; bill, about 2h; whole naked 

 portion of leg and foot, about 3. 



Hab. — North and middle America, breeding from northern United States 

 northward ; south in winter to West Indies and northern South America. 



Nest, usually a depression in a grassy meadow. 



Eggs, three or four; grayish-olive, heavily marked with umber-brown and 

 irregular lines of black. 



This is the Snipe of Amei'ica, although the name is often errone- 

 ously applied to other species. It is sometimes called English Snipe, 

 owing to the close resemblance it bears to the British bird, but those 

 who have compared the two species state positively that they are 

 different in their markings. 



In Southern Ontario this species is known only as a migrant in 

 spring and fall. During the former season they are more protected 



