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THE JACK SNIPE. 



Scolopax gallinula^ LINNAEUS. 

 PLATE XII. 



Scolopax gallinuta, Linn. Becassine sourde, Temin. The 

 Jack Snipe or Judcock of British authors. 



THIS beautiful little Snipe is generally dispersed 

 over the British Islands, upon the whole less nume- 

 rously than the common species, at the same time 

 always to be met with during winter, and at times 

 in considerable numbers. It is a winter visitant, 

 arriving among the most early, and returning, as it 

 were, year after year, to its favourite and accustomed 

 haunts. It is also one of the last to leave us, 

 always remaining until the month of March, and, at 

 this period, when the nuptial dress has commenced 

 to be put on, and has reached a certain degree of 

 maturity, the glossy green and purple of the dark 

 parts of the back, contrasting with clear ochreous- 

 yellow, exceeds in beairty the plumage of any of 

 our Snipes, or, indeed, of any foreign species we 

 are acquainted with. 



The Jack Snipe is a solitary species during its 

 stay with us, being met with singly, or with a single 

 companion ; at the same time, in some sheltered or 

 favourite locality, five or six may frequently be 



