112 



NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS EGGS. 



[229.] English Snipe. Gallinago gaUinago. 



A common species in Europe; of casual or accidental appearance in Greenland. 

 The bird does not differ essentially from our Snipe and its habits are the same. 



230. Wilson Snipe. GaUinago delicata. 



Range. North America, breeding from northern United States northward; 

 winters along the Gulf States and to California, and southward. 



Another favorite game bird, but one which re- 

 quires skill to hunt successfully. Of about the 

 same size as the Woodcock (11 inches long.) 

 This species, to a great extent frequents the same 

 haunts used by Woodcock, but is especially fond 

 of open marshy meadows, with winding brooks. 

 Their nests are depressions in grassy banks, gen- 

 erally unlined; the three or four eggs have an olive 

 gray color and are strongly marked with blackish 

 brown. Size 1.50 x 1.10. Data. Lake Winnipeg- 

 osis, Manitoba. June 10, 1903. Nest in a hollow 

 on a tuft of marsh grass, the four eggs having 

 their points together. Collector, Walter Raine. 



[230.1]. Greater Snipe. Gallinago major. 



A European species, only American as having accidentally occurred at Hudson 

 Bay; similar in appearance to the preceding species. 



231. Dowitcher. Macrorhamwhusgriseus. 



Range. North America, most abundant in the eastern parts; breeds in the 

 extreme north, and winters from the Gulf States to northern South America. 



This species is commonly known as "Red-breast- 

 ed Snipe" in late spring and summer because of 

 the rich rusty red coloration of the underparts, 

 and as '"Gray-back" in winter because of its gen- 

 eral grayish color at that season. They are very 

 common along the Atlantic coast during the, 

 Spring migration; they can be easily identified by 

 their very long bills, which are over two inches in 

 length and nearly one quarter the length of the 

 whole bird. They nest during June, placing their 

 three or four eggs in a slight hollow, which may 

 or may not be lined with dried grass or leaves. 

 The eggs have a greenish or brownish buff color 



and are boldly marked with dark brown. They do not differ greatly from those 

 of the Snipe. Data. McKenzie River, June 27, 1900. 4 eggs in a hollow in the 

 grass, lined with dead grass. Collector, Walter Raine. 



ireenish buff.] 



