26 SCOLOPACID^E. 



much more constantly, as well as frequently, in the north- 

 ern counties of England, in Ireland, in Scotland and its 

 islands, than here with us in the south. Still, the quantity 

 produced in the whole of the British Islands bears but a 

 small proportion to the numbers seen here, so generally 

 dispersed, during winter, which probably visit us during 

 that season from various parts of Scandinavia, and leave 

 us again in March, frequently shifting their ground under 

 the influence of the weather. 



The Common Snipe breeds both in Cornwall and Devon- 

 shire : I have also received the eggs from Dorsetshire, and 

 from the New Forest in Hampshire. White of Selborne, 

 in that part of his journal published by Mr. Jesse, says, 

 under date of July 30th, " Young Snipes were seen at the 

 Bishop of Winchester's table, at Farnham Castle, on this 

 day. They had bred on all the moory heaths of this 

 neighbourhood." I have bought the young birds, when 

 three parts grown, in the London market. The Rev. 

 Leonard Jenyns, in reference to Cambridgeshire, says, 

 " Many of these birds remain with us the whole year, 

 and breed constantly in Bur well and Swaffham fens ; " 

 and under date of June 15th, 1837, '" Common Snipe taken 

 in Burwell fen, with two young ones recently hatched." 

 The Rev. Richard Lubbock writes me word from Norfolk, 

 that these birds breed there in considerable numbers, which, 

 however, fluctuate greatly in different years, and are 

 never sufficient to account for the number which sometimes 

 appear in August, in which month as many Snipes may 

 often be killed as at any time of the year. Mr. Selby 

 says, " In addition to our native Snipes, great flights 

 come annually from Norway, and other northern parts 

 of Europe; and in Northumberland they arrive in the 

 greatest numbers in the beginning of November. They 



