GALLINAGO 61 



Imago and raddel, thus defines the breeding range of the Fantail 

 Snipe : — 



' The Common Snipe breeds throughout the greater part of 

 Europe, Central and Northern Asia, but chiefly between latitudes 

 50° and 70° North." 



The eggs of the snipe are normally always four in number and are 

 pyriform in shape, but less markedly so in some cases than in others. 



The ground colour varies from a pale grey-green, grey stone 

 colour, or yellowish stone colour to a comparatively dark olive-grey 

 or olive-brown, in some cases the brown being dominant and 

 appearing to be almost a pure though pale Vandyke brown. 



The markings consist of large irregular blotches, spots and dots 

 of rich brown, often almost black and rarely with a purple tint. 

 Secondary to these are similar markings of pale grey, lavender or 

 purplish brown. These are scattered to some extent all over the 

 surface, but, as a rule, they form a broad ring or cup at the larger 

 end, where they are almost invariably more numerous than elsewhere. 

 In a few eggs a twisted line of deep brown may be found at the 

 larger end, but this is exceptional. 



In some eggs the markings are much elongated and are so dis- 

 posed as to give the idea of having been laid on whilst the egg was 

 being twisted, the trend of the blotches being distinctly spiral. 



The texture of the shell is smooth and close, and the surface 

 fairly hard, in some cases with a decided gloss. 



They are very large for the size of the bird, and Seebohm gives 

 the measurements as between 1'5 and 1'65 inches in length and 

 1'05 to 1"25 in breadth. Oates gives the greatest length and breadth 

 as 1'72 and 1'22 inches respectively, and Dresser the average length 

 as 1'61 inches. 



In the southern part of their usual breeding range, the Common 

 Snipe begins to breed in early April and throughout May, but in the 

 more northern latitudes it does not commence to lay until June, and 

 eggs have been taken well on into July. In the Himalayas I do not 

 think it breeds before May, and I have eggs taken in June. 



General Habits. — Although the Common Snipe has a breeding 

 range which, if one includes Eadde's Snipe, extends completely 

 across Asia, yet migration into India undoubtedly takes place to a 



