348 THE COMPLETE WILDFOWLER 



It may be distinguished from the Common Snipe by its 

 larger size, proportionately shorter legs and bill, and more 

 boldly barred under parts. It has sixteen or more tail feathers, 

 whereas the former has only fourteen. The young in first 

 plumage closely resemble adults. Length from ii to 12 in. ; 

 bill 2'3 in. ; wing 5*5 in. 



COMMON SNIPE 

 Scolopax gallinago {LinncBus) 



This bird is a common resident in these isles and is found 

 wherever swamps, marshes, and damp meadows suitable to its 

 habits are still left. Large additions to its numbers come from 

 the Continent every autumn. 



During the breeding season this species may often be seen 

 "drumming" or "bleating." This is a sound much like the 

 " bleating " of a goat, and considerable doubt as to how it was 

 produced has long existed, although a Swedish naturalist 

 stated many years ago that it was brought about by the rapidly 

 vibrating tail feathers as the bird descended at a certain angle 

 through the air. This has recently been clearly proved as cor- 

 rect by an English observer, Mr. P. Bahr, who points out that 

 the sound is produced by the two outer tail feathers, which 

 during the flight are held out widely separated from the rest of 

 the tail. The sound can be produced artificially by placing 

 these feathers on a cork and rapidly whirling them round with 

 a piece of string. During the breeding season it utters also a 

 loud vocal "chip, chip" when on the ground, while when 

 suddenly flushed the alarm-note of "scape, scape" is well 

 known. It flies very rapidly and straightly when once on the 

 wing, but on first rising its flight is made in short zigzags, 

 offering a very diflicult shot. Sometimes, however, it will 

 " squat " on the approach of danger, and even on a bare patch 



