210 



of the Snipe, on being flushed, is at first in a zigzag 

 direction, until it has proceeded some distance, 

 when it ascends and pursues its course at a higher 

 elevation. 



SNIPE, GREAT. 



SOLITARY SNIPE. 

 SCOLOPAX MAJOK, Mont. 



This species, although it has been met with not 

 very unfrequently in England, is apparently an 

 irregular winter visitant. Being somewhat similar 

 in appearance to our Common Snipe, it is probably 

 mistaken for it. It is generally dispersed over the 

 Continent, where it is met with singly or in pairs. 

 It frequents the edges of grassy swamps and the 

 borders of small rills. Its food seems to consist 

 entirely of the larvse of tipula or Daddy Long- 

 legs. It breeds in Holland and the mountainous 

 parts of Norway and Sweden, placing its nest on 

 a tuft of grass, near the willow bushes on the 

 borders of swamps. The eggs, four in number, 

 are of a yellow olive brown, spotted with two 

 shades of reddish brown. 



