THE COMMON SNIPE. 297 



crossed with dusky bands ; the upper part of the body and 

 wings are rust brown, streaked with grey and black ; the 

 breast and belly are dusky white, with dark brown lines. 



OBSERVATIONS. The woodcock builds its nest on the ground in moun- 

 tainous districts ; lays three or four dusky pale yellow eggs, and feeds on 

 worms, snails, and the grubs of insects, which it seeks in meadows, marshes, 

 and fields. In October it quits the high lands for more temperate parts ; 

 this migration is called its passage, and as these birds constantly follow 

 the same route, this is the time when fowlers, scattered in its destined path, 

 prepare for a chase, either with guns or large nets made for the purpose, 

 and await the moment when these birds quit the meadows for the woods, 

 or the woods for the meadows. The flight of woodcocks is slow and 

 awkward, but they are very fine game, the flesh being wholesome and of an 

 excellent flavour; they are generally cooked without taking out the 

 intestines. 



In the house, by beginning with insects and ants' eggs, the woodcock 

 may be accustomed by degrees to the universal paste. Twenty years ago 

 I saw, in an aviary at Carlsruhe, a tame woodcock that would come from 

 his cage and show himself to strangers; it was a male, and appeared very 

 willing to pair, if it could have found a mate. 



THE COMMON SNIPE. 



Scolopax Gallinago, LINNJEUS ; La Becassine, BUFFON; Die Heerschnepfe, 

 BECHSTEIN. 



THIS Snipe is nearly the size of the quail, and inhabits the 

 northern countries of Europe, Asia, and America, migrating in 

 autumn to more temperate parts. Its rough beak is black in 

 the front; its feet are brown; the head is divided longitudinally 

 by two reddish brown lines ; the back is dark brown, with 

 streaks across ; the throat is white ; the neck is brown, speckled 

 with brick red ; the belly is white ; the vent is striped with 

 black ; the quill-feathers are dark brown, tipped with white ; 

 the tail-feathers are black from the base, tipped with orange, 

 and having two dark brown streaks. 



OBSERVATIONS. The snipe darts through the air at a great height, and 

 descends like an arrow, continually uttering the cry " maicherai." It is 

 found in marshy places, abounding with bushes and brambles ; in a hole in 

 the ground, washed by the water, it lays four or five dusky olive-coloured 

 eggs, streaked with brown. Its common food is worms, and the grubs of 

 insects, but it will eat corn, and the tender roots of marsh plants. Every 

 one knows that it is delicate eating ; but many are ignorant that it may be 

 tamed, and that it is then a very pleasing bird. 



