.34 GAME-BIEDS OF INDIA 



Genus GALLINAGO. 



The genus Gallinago contains seven species of Snipe as found 

 in India in addition to the sub-species G. raddei. Of these seven 

 species one is the Jack Snipe, G. gallinula, which is by many natura- 

 Hsts placed in a separate genus, Limnocryptes. The differences, how- 

 ever, between this and the other Snipe consist mainly in their in- 

 ternal structure, such as the sternum, which has four instead of two 

 emarginations. These differences are not apparent to the field 

 naturalist or sportsman, and I therefore follow Blanford and unite all 

 our Indian Snipes in one genus. 



Since the fourth volume of the " Avifauna of British India " 

 was written we have added both G. media and G. megala to our 

 list of Indian birds, so that these have now to be incorporated in the 

 key to the species. 



The differences between the Common Fantail, G. gallingo gal- 

 linago, and the Eastern Fantail, G. gallinago raddei, all depend upon 

 comparison and are dealt with when these birds are described. 



The following key is one which should suffice to enable any one 

 to distinguish the various Snipes, and the distinguishing measure- 

 ments given in it allow for an ample margin on either side. Thus 

 it will be found that whereas the Jack Snipe's bill rarely exceeds 

 1'8 inches, that of the other Snipes will but seldom be found under 

 2'2 inches and that, probably, only in birds of the first year. 



