80 



BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 



The sensibility possessed by the extremity of the bill, as in the snipe, 

 is of such an exquisite nature that they are enabled to collect their food 

 by the mere touch, without using 1 their eyes,* which are set at such a 

 distance and elevation in the back part of the head as to give the bird a 

 remarkable aspect of stupidity." 



Although this species is very g-enerally dispersed throughout the state, 

 it appears, from reports received through different sources, that some 

 of the principal localities visited by sportsmen are in the swampy dis- 

 tricts of Wayne, Bradford, Susquehanna, Cumberland, Crawford and 

 Erie counties ; also in Clarion and Yenang-o at different points on the 

 Alleg-heny Valley railroad, and g-ood woodcock shooting- is said to be 

 found, in July and August, at the " Black Swamp," in Montour county, 

 near Danville, on the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western railroad. 



The food-materials of nine woodcock examined by the writer are 

 given below: 



All young birds. 



t Parent of above. 



GENUS GALLINAGO LEACH. 

 Gallinago delicata (ORD.). 



Wilson's Snipe ; English Snipe ; Jack-snipe. 



DESCRIPTION (Plate 9). 



The body is more slender and head and neck smaller than in Philohela. About a 

 quarter of an inch on lower part of tibiae naked; ears under eyes; the three first 

 primaries are longest, and the rather long wing is more pointed than that of a wood- 

 cock ; bill (three specimens measured) about two and one-half inches long, not very 

 stout at base, and straight ; both mandibles have grooves on sides, extending from 

 base to near the end ; in life the bill is vascular, sensitive, and soft toward the end 

 where it widens; in dried specimens about one inch of the bill toward end is 

 pitted ; short, rounded tail-feathers with transverse bars ; toes long and slender 

 without basal webs or marginal membranes ; sexes similar. 



Adult. Length about 11 inches ; extent about 18 inches ; female a little smaller ; 

 bill (dried skin) brownish; legs blackish-brown; iris brown; top of head blackish, 



* The eyes, being situated high up and far back in both the snipe and woodcock (well shown in plate No. 

 9, fig. 1), is a wise provision of nature, as these birds, by this peculiarity, escape many of their enemies. 

 It can easily be understood by this arrangement that the Held of vision is greatly increased. Obtaining 

 their sustenance, as they do, chiefly by probing with their long bills, so amply supplied with nerves, they 

 have comparatively little use for their eyes when feeding, unless it is to keep a watch for their numerous 

 foes. Warren. 



