SCOLOPACID.E. 175 



tint. The eggs are very large in proportion to the size of 

 the bird. Daring the season of incubation the male bird 

 ascends occasionally to a great height in the air, and in its 

 descent makes, it is believed by the motion of its wings, a 

 humming noise. (PL XIY. fig. 90.) 

 THE JACK SNIPE. Scolopax gallmula. This, which is 

 the smallest species of the genus to which it belongs, is 

 perhaps the most beautiful also. Though much less nume- 

 rous than the common species, it is always to be met with 

 during the winter over the British Islands, and sometimes 

 in considerable numbers. During its stay in this country 

 it does not congregate in small companies like the Common 

 Snipe, but appears to be nearly solitary in its habits ; nor 

 does it range from place to place much, but, having fixed 

 upon one locality as its haunt, it seldom quits it for another, 

 even though harassed by the sportsman. It is conjectured 

 that it may breed in some parts of Great Britain, but no 

 well-authenticated instance of its doing so has, we believe, 

 been made known. It retires in spring to other regions to 

 incubate, and is said to breed plentifully near St. Peters- 

 burg. The eggs are reported to be four in number; the 

 position of the nest appears to be pretty much the same 

 with that last described, and, judging from delineations, the 



