BRITISH BIRDS. 125 



others barred with black: legs black. A fine speci- 

 men of this scarce bird was shot in Lancashire, now 

 in the British Museum ; said also to have been met 

 with in Kent." 



The author has seen three specimens of a large 

 kind of Snipe, called by some sportsmen, from 

 being always found alone, the Solitary Snipe. 

 They weighed the same as the above-mentioned, 

 but differed in some slight particulars, measuring 

 only twelve inches in length, and, from tip to tip, 

 about nineteen. The upper parts of the plumage 

 were nearly like those of the Common Snipe : the 

 breast, sides, belly, and vent, white, spotted, barred, 

 and undulated with black. 



The birds above-named (furnished by the late 

 Major Gibson^ were newly shot, and of course ex- 

 hibited a more perfect shape and beautiful plumage 

 than can be expected from a stuffed specimen. 

 From them the outline has been held in remem- 

 brance, and a preserved specimen obligingly lent 

 to this work by Mr. Yarrell, has enabled us to fill 

 up the markings of the plumage. 



