604 SCOLOPACID.E. 



counties of England, in Ireland, in Scotland and its islands, 

 than here with us in the south. Still, the quantity produced 

 in the whole of the British Islands bears but a small propor- 

 tion to the numbers seen here, so generally dispersed, during 

 winter, which probably visit us during that season from va- 

 rious parts of Scandinavia, and leave us again in March, fre- 

 quently shifting their ground under the influence of the 

 weather. 



The Common Snipe breeds both in Cornwall and Devon- 

 shire : I have also received the eggs from Dorsetshire, and 

 from the New Forest in Hampshire. White of Selborne, in 

 that part of his Journal published by Mr. Jesse, says, under 

 date of July 30th, " Young Snipes were seen at the Bishop 

 of Winchester''s table, at Farnham Castle, on this day. They 

 had bred on all the moory heaths of this neighbourhood." I 

 have bought the young birds, when three parts grown, in the 

 London market. The Rev. Leonard Jenyns, in reference to 

 Cambridgeshire, says, " Many of these birds remain with us 

 the whole year, and breed constantly in Burwell and SwafF- 

 ham fens;"" and under date of June 15th, 1837, "Common 

 Snipe taken in Burwell fen, with two young ones recently 

 hatched." The Rev. Richard Lubbock writes me word from 

 Norfolk, that these birds breed there in considerable numbers, 

 Avhicli, however, fluctuate greatly in diflTerent years, and are 

 never sufficient to account for the number which sometimes 

 appear in August, in which month as many Snipes may often 

 be killed as at any time of the year. Mr. Selby says, " In 

 addition to our native Snipes, great flights come annually 

 from Norway, and other northern parts of Europe ; and in 

 Northumberland they arrive in the greatest numbers in the 

 beginning of November. They seldom remain long in one 

 situation, moving from place to place, under the regulation 

 of various causes ; so that the sportsman, who has enjoyed 

 excellent Snipe-shooting one day, may find the same spots 



