THE COMMON SNIPE 
GALLINAGO SCOLOPACINA 
Loca names in surrounding counties : 
Status IN British Avirauna: A common and widely 
distributed resident, most numerous in Scotland and 
Ireland, and more abundant in winter than in summer, 
its numbers being increased by migrants in autumn. 
Rap1aL DiIsTRIBUTION WITHIN FIFTEEN MILES OF ST. 
Paut’s : ‘The Common Snipe is by no means uncommon 
during winter in many parts of Greater London. It has 
been known to breed at Wimbledon, and very probably 
does so at Epping. An example of this Snipe has been 
picked up in the Strand, but normally the bird is a visitor 
to the rural suburbs only. It is occasionally met with 
at Hampstead, and resorts to suitable haunts in the 
Enfield, Waltham, Barnet, Pinner, Harrow, Kingsbury, 
Hendon, Wembley, Twyford, and Osterley districts. 
On the Surrey side of the Thames it is well known in the 
vicinity of Mitcham, and occurred in large and exceptional 
numbers there during the winter of 1894-95. ‘The 
sewage-farm at that place is a favourite resort. A large 
influx of Snipe was remarked in the Norwood area during 
the winters of 1878-79, 1880-81. In the more outlying 
suburbs the Common Snipe becomes of yet more frequent 
occurrence, and may fairly be said to haunt during 
winter suitable spots in all parts. Sewage-farms and 
marshy meadows and ditches, especially in the southern 
suburbs, are favourite resorts of this species. 
Probably most of the Snipe found in the London area 
are migrants from more northern districts spending the 
winter in town. It may seem ridiculous, but there is a 
fair amount of Snipe-shooting to be got within the 
London suburbs by those gunners who are “ in the know.” 
The habits of this bird are little known to the ordinary 
287 
