PLATE I 

 COMMON SNIPE. Gallinago calestis 



May 6//r, 1893. This nest was photographed near the shores of a small loch 

 in South Perthshire. It was a mere hollow in the ground among the tufts 

 of grass growing on a sort of slope, and was slightly lined with dry grass. 

 The old bird sat until I very nearly stepped on her, when she flew away, 

 zigzagging in the usual manner. The four eggs were very hard sat, two of 

 them being already chipped, and were most beautifully marked with rich 

 red brown markings, chiefly on the large end of the egg, and forming a sort 

 of irregular blotch of colour. 



The male was careering about at a great height in the air 'drumming,' 

 and we spent some time watching him through our glasses as he swooped 

 down with vibrating wings and outspread tail. 



We put up several snipe, but failed to find any more nests; but we came 

 across one young bird crouching among the grass not far from the first nest. 

 It ran away at a great speed when set down, tumbling over every little 

 inequality in the ground, but always getting up again and setting off at full 

 speed, putting me in mind of some youthful competitor in a sack race. 



