182 SNIPE SHOOTING. 



intermediary between that and the woodcock. The 

 known specimens of this bird in England are few in 

 number : one was procured from Queen's County, 

 Ireland, where it was shot; and another was killed 

 in the neighbourhood of Morpeth, in Northumberland. 

 As we have not ourself examined these specimens, 

 or others, in the Zoological Museum, it will be more 

 satisfactory to the reader to introduce that eminent 

 naturalist, Sir W. Jardine's description of this species : 

 " Scolopax Sabinii : Sabine's Snipe" first premising 

 that its call is described as differing from that of 

 other snipes, and its habits said to be similar. An 

 Irish specimen, produced by Mr. Thompson, was shot 

 at thrice ; without exhibiting fear or shyness, it 

 alighted, after being fired at, but a short distance 

 from the same spot " The upper parts are nearly 

 of a dusky brown, varied by narrow bands of pale 

 yellowish brown; the under parts are also rufous 

 dusky brown, alternately barred with pale yellow 

 brown. The tail, containing twelve feathers, has 

 the basal half black, the terminal half chesnut brown, 

 barred with black or blackish brown. Tibias plumed 

 entirely to the knees. The entire length of the bird 

 is from ten to twelve inches, of which the bill will 

 measure from two to three." 



