THE COMMON SNIPE 



GALLINAGO SCOLOPACINA 



LOCAL names in surrounding counties : 



STATUS IN BRITISH AVIFAUNA : A common and widely 

 distributed resident, most numerous in Scotland and 

 Ireland, and more abundant in winter than in summer, 

 its numbers being increased by migrants in autumn. 



RADIAL DISTRIBUTION WITHIN FIFTEEN MILES OF ST. 

 PAUL'S : The Common Snipe is by no means uncommon 

 during winter in many parts of Greater London. It has 

 been known to breed at Wimbledon, and very probably 

 does so at Epping. An example of this Snipe has been 

 picked up in the Strand, but normally the bird is a visitor 

 to the rural suburbs only. It is occasionally met with 

 at Hampstead, and resorts to suitable haunts in the 

 Enfield, Waltham, Barnet, Pinner, Harrow, Kingsbury, 

 Hendon, Wembley, Twyford, and Osterley districts. 

 On the Surrey side of the Thames it is well known in the 

 vicinity of Mitcham, and occurred in large and exceptional 

 numbers there during the winter of 1894-95. The 

 sewage-farm at that place is a favourite resort. A large 

 influx of Snipe was remarked in the Norwood area during 

 the winters of 1878-79, 1 880-81. In the more outlying 

 suburbs the Common Snipe becomes of yet more frequent 

 occurrence, and may fairly be said to haunt during 

 winter suitable spots in all parts. Sewage-farms and 

 marshy meadows and ditches, especially in the southern 

 suburbs, are favourite resorts of this species. 



Probably most of the Snipe found in the London area 

 are migrants from more northern districts spending the 

 winter in town. It may seem ridiculous, but there is a 

 fair amount of Snipe-shooting to be got within the 

 London suburbs by those gunners who are " in the know." 

 The habits of this bird are little known to the ordinary 



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