BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



349 



Great Snipe. 



THE Great Snipe (Swlopax major, Gmelin) is a rare ab- 

 normal spring and autumn migrant to the British Isles, and 

 inhabits the Western Palearctic Region. The adult bears a 

 close resemblance to the common snipe in colouration of 

 plumage, but can always be distinguished from that bird by 

 the number of tail-feathers, which in the latter are fourteen, 

 whilst in Scolopax major the number is sixteen. The great 

 snipe is also a little larger, measuring from eleven to twelve 

 inches. The young in first plumage closely resemble 

 adults. 



