MIGRATION. 225 



common observation, that of all birds, the Solitary Snipe 

 differs more in size than almost any other. Not unfre- 

 quently, indeed, one meets with an individual not much 

 larger than the Common Snipe, whilst others again 

 approach the Woodcock in bulk." 



Whilst the female is incubating, one may almost tread 

 on her before she can be induced to desert her eggs, and 

 even when flushed she flies but a short distance, and soon 

 returns to them again. " I question," writes Professor 

 Rasch to me, " if the male seeks for or remains with the 

 female whilst she is sitting ; but when the young are led 

 by their mother to the feeding-places mentioned, near to 

 the alpine ' shealings ' (see page 218), he is undoubtedly 

 witli his family." The chicks are hatched in from seven- 

 teen to eighteen days, and begin to run, as the saying 

 is, "with the, shells on their backs." In their downy 

 state they have a very singular appearance, and then 

 much resemble the young of the Common Snipe. They 

 grow very rapidly, and by the 1st of August are in 

 a fit state to shoot. 



The Solitary Snipe is the first of the genus Scolopax 

 to migrate from Scandinavia. Some usually depart as 

 early as the beginning of August ; and though stragglers 

 may remain after the middle of September, the main body 

 are usually gone by that time. During certain seasons, 

 however, these birds leave the country at a much earlier 

 period than at others. The cause is not exactly known, but 

 it is thought probable that the greater or lesser moisture of 

 the ground, and the consequent greater or lesser facility 

 in obtaining sustenance, has much to do with it. In proof 

 of this being the case, it may be mentioned that in 1860, 

 when there was a great deal of rain in the month of 

 August, they remained in the more central parts of 

 Sweden until the 20th of September ; but the previous 

 year, when the weather was very wet during the whole 



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