SNIPES. 267 



FAMILY III. SCOLOPACID.E. 



(Snipes.) 



The most remarkable characteristic of this 

 Family is the extreme length and slenderness of 

 the beak, which, far from possessing the strength 

 and firmness of the Herons, is extremely weak 

 and flexible. Of course this structure is more 

 conspicuous in what are known as the typical 

 genera, than in those which lead off from them 

 into connexion with neighbouring Families. In 

 the former the tip of this long beak is covered 

 with a soft skin, extremely sensitive ; and the 

 organ is employed as a probe to feel the soft mud 

 or earth, into which it is thrust, and to capture 

 there minute insects and animalcules, which could 

 not be discovered by any other sense. They have 

 the hind toe jointed on the tarsus above the level 

 of the fore toes, and so short as to be unable to 

 touch the ground. In some it is absent. 



The feet and necks of these birds are, generally, 

 of moderate length ; the wings long and pointed ; 

 and hence the flight is swift and sustained : the 

 tail is short and even ; the front toes frequently 

 united by a membrane more or less considerable. 

 Their plumage is of chaste and subdued tints, 

 frequently presenting a mottled assemblage of 

 blaqk, white, and rufous hues, often disposed in 

 elegant contrast ; at other times a nearly uniform 

 greyish olive is the prevalent hue. Their flesh is 

 held in high esteem. 



The Snipes are widely distributed ; a consider- 

 able number of the species are found in Britain, 



