SNIPES. 



269 



back, is suffused with rufous ; the under parts are 

 white, beautifully and regularly banded on the 

 sides with black. The end of the beak, as Mr. 

 Yarrell has observed, " when the bird is alive, or 

 recently killed, is smooth, soft, and pulpy, indi- 

 cating great sensibility ; but some time afterwards 



COMMON SNIPE. 



it becomes dimpled like the end of a thimble. 

 If the upper mandible be macerated in water for 

 a few days, the skin or cuticle may be readily 

 peeled off; and the bones thus laid bare, present 

 a similar appearance. The external surface pre- 



