BIRDS OF THE STREAMS 87 



COMMON SNIPE (Gallinago ccslcstis). 



Resident ; but many migrants arrive in winter. 

 Fairly well distributed, breeding most abundantly in 

 Norfolk, Suffolk, Lincolnshire, Scotland and Ireland. 



Haunts. Marshy and fenny districts. 



Plumage. Crown dark brown with one central and 

 two buff stripes. Upper parts mottled with black and 

 chestnut-brown. Flanks whitish, barred with dusky ; 

 under parts white. Bill long and brown, darker at tip. 

 Legs and feet greenish brown. Length io in. Female 

 similar. Young altogether duller. Nestling covered 

 with chestnut-brown down above, mottled with black 

 and grey ; greyish brown below. 



Language. The well-known and curious drumming 

 produced by the vibrations of the wings and tail. Also 

 another sharp cry, two or three times repeated, like"scape. " 



Habits. Feeds like the Woodcock, probing the ooze 

 with its sensitive bill. At pairing time the male practises 

 his curious aerial performances, rising to some con- 

 siderable height, then hurling himself earthwards with 

 tremendous velocity, all the time drumming or bleating. 

 When flushed, it flies off in a rapid, erratic, zigzagging 

 fashion. Crepuscular in habits. Feigns injury when 

 nest is in danger. 



Food. Worms, insects, &c. 



Nest. April or May. Sometimes two broods. 



Site. Among rank aquatic herbage on boggy land. 



Materials. A few leaves and stalks. 



Eggs. Four. Pale olive, spotted and blotched with 

 rich dark brown, other shades of brown, and purplish 

 grey. Pyriform shape. 



LITTLE GREBE OR DABCHICK (Podicipes fluviatilis) , 



Resident. Widely distributed in these islands, wherever 



there are large ponds, lakes, meres, and sluggish-flowing 



