SNIPE. GRALLATORES. SCOLOPAX. 121 



COMMON SNIPE. 



SCOLOPAX GALLINAGO, Linn. 

 PLATE XXIII. FIG. 3. 



Scolopax Gallinago, Linn. Syst. 1. 244. 7 Gmel. Syst. 1. 662 Lath. Ind. 

 Orn. 2. 715. 6 Raii Syn/105. A. 2 Will. 214. t. 53. Flem. Br. Aiiim. 



1. 106. sp. 148. 



Gallinago media, Steph. Shaw's Zool. 12. 54. 



Scolopax gallinaria, Gmel. Syst. 1. 662 Lath. Ind. Orn. 2. 715. 7. 



Be'cassine, Buff. pis. 7- 483. 26. 



Becassine ordinaire, Temm. Man. d'Ornith. 2. 676 Lesson, Man. 2. 266. 



Heerschneppe, Bechst. Naturg. Deut. 4. 185. Meyer, Tasschenb. Deut. 



2. 363. 



Snipe or Snite, Penn. Br. Zool. 2. No. 187. 68 Arct. Zool. 2. No. 386 

 Will. (Angl.) 290. t. 53 Albin. 1. t. 71 White's Hist. Selb. p. 29 

 Lath. Syn. 5. 134. 6 Pull. Cat. Dorset, p. 14. 



Common Snipe, Mmt. Orm'th. Diet Flem. Br. Anim. 1. 106. sp. 148 

 Shaw's Zool. 12. 54 Bewick's Br. Birds, 2. 68. 



PROVINCIAL Heather Bleater, Whole Snipe. 



THE Common Snipe is the only British species that can 

 properly be considered indigenous, considerable numbers re- 

 maining with us constantly, and merely changing their places 

 of resort, according to the state of the weather, or the season 

 of the year. Early in spring, the great body of these birds 

 that remain in the country retire to the boggy grounds of 

 the moors in the northern parts of England and the High- 

 lands of Scotland, ascending to very high elevations where- 

 ever the surface is congenial to their habits. Some few, 

 however, remain and breed in the fens and marshy lands of 

 the lower and more southern parts of the island. Towards 

 the end of March, or beginning of April, Snipes having 

 nearly perfected their summer or nuptial plumage (which 

 only differs from that of the winter in the clearness and bril- 

 liancy of its tints), select appropriate places for nidification, 

 and the male bird commences his calls of invitation for a 

 mate. These are always uttered upon the wing, and con- 

 sist of a piping or clicking note often repeated, and accom- 



