600 SCOLOPACID/E. 



has had ocular proofs of Double Snipes being raised from 

 the nest there ; but these birds require solitude and perfect 

 quiet, and, as their food is peculiar, they demand a great 

 extent of marshy meadow. Their stomach is the thinnest 

 amongst birds of the Scolopax tribe ; and, as I have said be- 

 fore, their food seems to be entirely the larvse of Tipula,^ 

 or congenerous flies." From Mr. Dann I learn that the 

 Great Snipe breeds in considerable numbers in the mountain- 

 ous parts of Norway and Sweden, as high as the range of 

 birch woods extend. In the Dofre Fi-ell, at Jerkin and 

 Fogstuen, they are numerous on the edges of the grassy 

 swamps, avoiding the wet. They, also frequently resort to 

 the borders of the small rills used for irrigating the grass 

 lands. Their nest is placed on a hummock or tuft of grass 

 near the willow bushes on the borders of the swamps. Dur- 

 ing the pairing-season they fly to a vast height. They make 

 a drumming noise as they descend, which is produced by a 

 slight and peculiar vibration of the wings. Mr. Dann does 

 not consider that the Great Snipe goes to the northward of 

 Drontheim, they leave the more northern parts in August, 

 but are sometimes shot in Sweden as late as November. 

 Mr. Selby and other observers have remarked that this Snipe 

 utters no cry when flushed. Mr. Hewitson, in his work on 

 the eggs of British Birds, says, the egg of the Great Snipe 

 is another of the rarities for which he was indebted to the 

 perseverance of Mr. Hoy, of whom he obtained the following 

 particulars : " There is no doubt that by far the greater 

 number of the Great Snipe retire to the swamps of the north 

 to breed ; still a considerable number are spread over the fens 

 and morasses of Holland, and have hitherto escaped observa- 



* Tiptilce. Flies, known by the more common name of Father Long-Legs ; 

 the species of which are very numerous, and in their larva or caterpillar state 

 are too well known for their extensive destruction of the roots of grass, and the 

 consequent death of the herbage. 



