22 SCOLOPACID.E. 



which he was indebted to the perseverance of Mr. Hoy, 

 of whom he obtained the following particulars : " There 

 is no doubt that by far the greater number of the Great 

 Snipe retire to the swamps of the north to breed ; still a 

 considerable number are spread over the fens and morasses 

 of Holland, and have hitherto escaped observation during 

 the time of breeding. It may, however, be met with 

 during that season, though not in great numbers, in the 

 marshy districts lying between Gouda and Gorinchem, and 

 an extensive fenny tract, abounding in peat bogs, in the 

 eastern part of Dutch Brabant. There is another locality 

 bordering upon the Dutch side of the river Meuse, over 

 which they are found scattered during the breeding-season. 

 The Great Snipe resembles the Jack Snipe very much in 

 its habits ; lying close, and, when disturbed, rarely flying 

 far. It begins to breed early in May. The nest is 

 similar to, and placed in the same situation as, that of the 

 common species. The eggs are four in number." These 

 are of a yellow olive-brown, spotted with two shades of 

 reddish brown ; the length one inch nine lines, by one inch 

 and two lines in breadth. 



I do not find any notice of the occurrence of the Great 

 Snipe in Orkney or Shetland, but it is seen in the Danish 

 Islands in the breeding- season. A few breed in Ger- 

 many, appearing in May, and departing in September ; 

 it is also said to be found in Bohemia. It is not very 

 common in Holland ; still more rare in France ; and in 

 Switzerland, Italy, Corfu, Sicily, Malta, and Crete, this 

 species, according to Messrs. Necker, Schinz, and Savi, 

 is observed in spring and autumn on its passage. The 

 Zoological Society have received specimens, sent by Messrs. 

 Dickson and Boss, from Trebizond, obtained in the month 

 of April, and said to be common in boggy ground; and 



