598 SCOLOPACIDE. 



now by no means uncommon, but occurs more frequently in 

 autumn than in any otlier season : the major part of the ex- 

 amples obtained, are young birds of the year ; and from this 

 species being known to breed in high northern latitudes, 

 these autumnal visitants are seen while on their route to their 

 more southern winter quarters. Their course, both in spring 

 and in autumn, is considered by Mr. Selby to be generally 

 to the east of the longitude of the British Islands ; and I may 

 mention, in corroboration of this view, that I am not aware 

 of more than one record of the occurrence of this species in 

 Ireland, and in England they are most frequent in the east- 

 ern counties. 



The habits of this Great Snipe, or Solitary Snipe as it 

 is often called, will be best elucidated by references to the 

 communications and accounts of those who have enjoyed op- 

 portunities of observation in this and in other countries. 

 The Rev. Richard Lubbock writes me from Norfolk as fol- 

 lows : Mr. Paget says of this bird, " not uncommon in the 

 autumn," which is strictly true. I have known more than 

 twenty specimens come under my own observation in the 

 same season ; but I cannot remember a single instance where 

 this Snipe has occurred in spring : I have made many en- 

 quiries, and have invariably found them occurring in autumn, 

 generally early in the season, often in September. This 

 species is very frequently found in pairs, and does not de- 

 serve to be called Solitary. On the wing it looks but little 

 larger than the Common Snipe, and may be recognised at 

 once by its tail, spread like a fan. Its flight is steadier and 

 heavier, which may in some degree arise from the aptitude 

 of the bird to make fat. I have handled more than a dozen 

 specimens; have shot the bird three times myself; and all 

 I have seen were loaded with flesh and fat. I find I have 

 noted that Richardson, the fenman, killed six of the Great 

 Snipes in the second week of September 1835 ; four of 



