36 



March and return in November. They breed very early, eggs often being found 

 late in March March 29, March 28, March 23, are dates of first observed for three 

 years. In the Whitewater Valley, owing to lack of suitable localities, they are 

 scarce. Still, in favorable places, a few rear their young each year. Mr. H. W. 

 McBride reports it in Dekalb County, February 14, 1890. 



Snipe. 



GENUS GALLINAGO LEACH. 



*85. Gallinago delicata (Ord). WILSON'S SNIPR. 



Common migrant, rare summer resident northward. Breeds. It has been 

 found within the State from March 7 to Nov. 27, to my knowledge. Perhaps within 

 the counties of the extreme southern part some may spend the winter. They have 

 been found breeding sparingly in the following counties: Miami (Cunningham), 

 Lake (Meyer), Starke (Deane). Mr. G. Frean Morcom, Chicago, 111., has a set of 

 eggs which he obtained in Starke County. Thes,e Snipe vary much in numbers 

 and also in the time of their movements during the migrations. Some years they 

 are found commonly early in March and other years not until early April ; again, 

 the bulk will leave one year by the middle of April and another year will be 

 present into the early part of May. The same irregularity is noticeable in autumn. 

 The early arrival of these birds in numbers on favorite snipe grounds in the fall of 

 1889, was noticed by all sportsmen. " On September 1st they were so numerous 

 a good shot could have killed forty or fifty birds in many localities in Indiana and 

 Illinois. * * * Something has driven thousands from the North ; some claim 

 it is due to very dry weather north of us." (Deane.) Known by the names " Eng- 

 lish Snipe," " Common Snipe," "Jack Snipe " and " Gutter Snipe." 



GENUS MACRORHAMPHUS LEACH. 



86. Maororhamphus griseus scolopaceus (Say.). LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER; "GRAY- 

 BACK;" RED-BELLIED SNIPE. 



Bare migrant. It has been reported from Allen County (Stockbridge), Starke 

 County (Deane), Putnam County (Black), White County, Chalmers ( Dury). I have 

 referred to this form all the records of Red-bellied Snipe from this State for the 

 reasons that all the specimens I have examined, have been this form ; and Mr. 

 Ridgway gives only this as occurring in Illinois. So far as I can learn the shorter- 

 billed form has not been distinguished within our limits.. 



