COMMON SNIPE. 191 



rally at the root of a tree, and their eggs are four or 

 five in number. They feed on worms and insects, 

 which they search for in soft ground, by means of their 

 long and slender bills. Although these birds are not at 

 all eaten in Sweden and some other parts of Europe, their 

 flesh is much esteemed in this country ; and they are 

 most commonly cooked with their intestines still in the 

 body. 



The colours of the Woodcock are a mixture of gray, 

 black, and reddish-brown. Their bill, which is about 

 three inches in length, is straight, and reddish at the 

 base. The legs are cinereous, and the thighs covered 

 with feathers. On each side of the head there is a 

 black band. 



Common Snipe. The greater portion of these birds 

 leave England in the spring of the year, and return in 

 the autumn; but many of them breed with us. They 

 collect together sometimes in large flocks. The places 

 jthey chiefly frequent, are wet meadows, pastures, and 

 i marshes; and they form their nest of dried grass and 

 \ feathers, in the most inaccessible parts of the marshes, 

 iand generally under the stump of an alder or willow. 

 The female lays four olive-coloured eggs, marked with 

 j dusky spots. When roused, they utter a feeble whistle, 

 i and fly off, generally against the wind, and in a zigzag 

 [direction. Snipes are in great request for the table. 



The length of the Snipe is about twelve inches, and 

 'its bill is nearly three inches long. The legs are brown. 

 !The body is varied with blackish and tawny on the 

 ! upper parts, and is white beneath. There are four 

 i brown lines on the forehead. 



