THE SNIPE. 59 



of small locks, ponds, or amongst heather; sometimes 

 under the stump of an old alder or willow. In Norway and 

 Sweden the bird breeds commonly in the morasses of the 

 mountainous districts, and in the mossy bogs of the more 

 cultivated parts. The nest, which is made with little or 

 no trouble, is composed of leaves and stalks, and is placed 

 on the ground. The eggs are generally four in number, 

 rather large in proportion to the size of the bird, and 

 sharply pointed at the smaller end. They are of an olive- 

 white colour, spotted at the larger end with rusty brown. 



The young Snipes make their appearance about the 

 beginning or middle of July, and both parents are much 

 attached to their brood. The young grow rapidly, and 

 soon learn to run freely. 



Snipes feed principally upon worms, aquatic insects, 

 and the minute seeds of various water-plants. Like that 

 of all the Scolopacina?, the bill is extremely sensitive ; it 

 is perforated, and capable of some degree of expansion. 

 Owing, however, to the delicate structure and organisation 

 of the bill, the Snipe, in severe weather, suffers great 

 hardships and privations, and rapidly becomes emaciated 

 and poor. 



The plumage of the Snipe is rich and beautifully 

 marked. The beak is dark brown at the end, and pale 

 reddish-brown at the base. Irides, dark brown. A dark 

 brown streak runs from the beak to the eye, and over this 

 streak is another streak of pale brown, which goes over the 

 eye and ear-coverts. The upper part of the head is dark 

 brown, with a pale streak in the centre. The back is 

 dark brown, slightly spotted with pale brown, and there 

 are four plainly-marked lines along the upper part of the 

 body of dark brown feathers, margined with rich buff. 





