156 THE BIRDS OF RIVER AND VLEI 



generally in the neighbourhood of vleis and rivers. It is 

 also found along the coast. 



The Curlew (Numenius arquatus) is pale brown above 

 streaked with darker; below white, sides of the face, 

 neck and breast with shaft-streaks of brown. Bill long 

 and gently curved. 



This bird is a migrant from Europe and Asia, and does 

 not breed in South Africa. 



The Redshank, Greenshank, Marsh Sandpiper, and 

 Wood Sandpiper, and several other species, are all 

 migrants to southern latitudes, spending the winter 

 months of the northern hemisphere with us, and de- 

 parting when our winter sets in. 



SNIPE. 



The Double Snipe (Gallinago major} is of a mottled 

 black and buffish colour above ; four outer tail-feathers 

 on either side white ; below, neck and breast buffish 

 streaked with brown, chin and centre of abdomen white- 

 Length 11 in. Bill straight. 



Its congener, the Ethiopian Snipe (G. nigripennis), 

 differs in being darker, and the three outer tail-feathers 

 are white, barred with dusky on the outer web. 



Neither of these birds are exactly common except in 

 certain few localities, and only the latter breeds within 

 our limits. 



The Painted Snipe (Bostratula bengalensis) is the most 

 richly-coloured species of all, and in this case contrary 

 to the usual course the female is more brightly tinted 

 than the male, having the back and shoulders of a 

 bronzy-brown glossed with metallic-green, and the neck 

 chestnut. 



