826 MAXUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 



jack-snipe that is in his neighbourhood. The first flights of 

 the jack-snipe generally arrive about the second week in 

 September, and they again migrate at the end of February 

 or beginning of March, according to the rigour of the season. 



^0 well-authenticated instance of the nest of the jack- 

 snipe having been found in Britain is on record. In the 

 delicacy of its flesh it is equal to its congeners ; and, consi- 

 dering it in that point of view, is not too diminutive to 

 attract the aim of the sportsman. In open and mild weather 

 it soon becomes exceedingly fat, and as speedily loses its 

 condition in severe frosts, when its feeding-ground is limited 

 to the heads of springs and unfrozen ditches. Its usual 

 weight, when in full condition, seldom exceeds two ounces 

 and a quarter. 



Sabine's SxMPE. — This bird is at once distinguished from 

 every other European species of snipe by the total absence of 

 white from its plumage, or of any other of those lighter tints 

 of rust-coloured yellow, which extend more or less in stripes 

 along the head and back of them all. In this respect it ex- 

 hibits a strong resemblance to Scolopax saturata of Dr. 

 Horsfield, besides diifering in its general proportions. It has 

 twelve tail-feathers, in which respect it agrees with the jack- 

 snipe ; while the common snipe has fourteen, and the great 

 snipe sixteen. It differs in a strong degree from the jack- 

 snipe in its bill being nearly a third longer. In its general 

 appearance it bears a greater resemblance to the woodcock 

 than to the other European species of the snipes ; but it 

 may be immediately recognised from that bird by the two 

 exterior toes being united at the base for a short distance, 

 as in most of the snipes, while those of the woodcock are 

 divided to the origin. 



This is a very rare bird, for, as far as it is known at pre- 

 «int, only six instances have occurred in which it has been 



