60 FAMILIAR WILD BIRDS. 



The wing-coverts are spotted with pale brown, on a ground 

 of dull black, and tipped with white; the primaries are 

 dull black, the secondaries being dull black, tipped with 

 white. Upper tail-coverts barred with pale brown and 

 dusky black ; the tail-feathers are dull black with reddish- 

 brown margins, the end of the feathers having an oval 

 chestnut patch. The vent, belly, and breast are white, 

 sides and flanks greyish- white, barred with dusky black ; 

 chin, brownish-white ; under tail-coverts pale yellowish- 

 brown, with greyish-black bars ; legs and toes, greenish- 

 brown. 



The length of the snipe is about ten and a-half inches, 

 beak two and three-quarter inches ; but the birds vary 

 considerably in size and weight. The female resembles 

 the male in plumage, but is a trifle larger. 



