Birds of Pennsylvania. 



35 



State. Individuals of this species have been shot in summer near 

 West Chester, also in Delaware county, but on examining them I 

 found that, although able to fly a short distance, they were so crippled 

 from wounds received during the spring shooting season that they 

 were unable to perform any extended migrations. Should these crip- 

 ples remain in a locality during the summer months, I have no doubt 

 some of them might reproduce. 



Food. 



According to Audubon, '' the food of our common Snipe consists 

 principally of ground-worms, insects, and the juicy slender roots of 

 different vegetables, all of which tend to give its flesh that richness 

 of flavor and juicy tenderness for which it is so deservedly renowned, 

 it being equal to that of the Woodcock. Many epicures eat up both 

 Snipe and Woodcock with all their viscera, w^orms and insects to 

 boot, the intestines, in fact, being considered the most savory parts. 

 On opening some newly-killed Snipe, I have more than once found 

 fine large and well-fed ground -worms, and at times a leech, which I 

 must acknowledge I never conceived suitable articles of food for man, 

 and for this reason I have always taken good care to have both Snipes 

 and Woodcocks well cleaned, as all game ought to be." 



Food-Matekials. 



Water beetles and two seeds of 

 smart-weed.* 



Water beetles and tliree seeds of 

 smart-weed. 



Water beetles. 



Water beetles. 



Water beetles. 



Beetles. 



Earth-worms and fragments of 

 beetles. 



Earth-worms. 



Earth-worms. 



Beetles and blades of grass. 



Various insects. 



Beetles and two seeds of smart- 

 weed. 



Vegetable matter, apparently roots 

 of small plant. 



Beetles. 



Beetles. 



Portions of grass blades and roots. 



Small seeds and earth-worms. 



Beetles and earth-worms. 



Beetles. 



Beetles and earth-worms. 



Various insects and vegetable mat- 

 ter. 



Small seeds. 



Small seeds and earth-worms. 



Vegetable matter. 



Small seeds. 



