124 GRALLATORES. SCOLOPAX. SNIPE. 



ing a strong resemblance in general appearance, but which 7 

 upon investigation and comparison, are found to possess cha- 

 racters essentially distinct ; such is the Snipe of North Ame- 

 rica (Scolopax delicata of ORD), another belonging to South- 

 ern Africa, and two or three from Asia. Scolopax Gattinago, 

 as far as my observation serves, appears confined to Europe, 

 and the north of Asia. The flesh of the Snipe is delicately 

 flavoured, and of course in great estimation for the table ; 

 and in autumn, and the milder parts of winter, when a plen- 

 tiful supply of food is to be obtained, it becomes very fat 

 and delicious, and is always dressed, like the Woodcock, 

 without extracting the entrails, which are considered not the 

 least savoury part of the bird. In the fens, Snipes are some- 

 times taken by lark-nets, and the springe (which I have de- 

 scribed above, under the article Woodcock), is also occasion- 

 ally used to capture them ; but the favourite mode of pur- 

 suit is with the gun, as they afford an inviting trial of skill 

 to the sportsman, from the quickness and oblique movements 

 of their flight. From the disposition of the colours in its 

 plumage, assimilating so well with the situations it inhabits, 

 there is difficulty in discerning this bird upon the ground, 

 and this is increased by its squatting closely down the mo- 

 ment an intruder approaches. I have now, for many years, 

 been in the habit of shooting great numbers of Snipes, and 

 although well acquainted with the exact spots they are ac- 

 customed to frequent, very few instances have occurred in 

 which I have obtained a sight of the bird, previous to its tak- 

 ing wing. In the bogs of Ireland Snipes are very abun- 

 dant. 



PLATE 23. Fig. 3. Represents this bird of the natural size. 

 General Bill yellowish-brown, inclining to flesh-red at the base, 

 tion nP " an ^ darker towards the tip. Streak between the bill 



and eye dark brown. Crown of the head blackish - 

 brown, divided down the centre by a line of yellowish- 

 white. Chin and throat white. On each side of the 



