THE JACK-SNIPE. \& 



the difficulties of their haunts, to render them less easily 

 studied than many other birds. It is only of late years that 

 the bird has been observed; one specimen in Ireland, one in 

 Kent, and one in the north of England : but when the dis- 

 covery of the fiery-crested wren by the cat, as a native bird, 

 is borne in mind, it need not be matter of wonder though 

 this snipe should be found to be a native, and even a per- 

 manent resident in the more retired and inaccessible morasses 

 of this country. It is smaller than the common snipe, darker 

 in the colour, and has the bill at least half an inch longer in 

 proportion. Its general colour is brownish black, relieved 

 with chesnut and rust-colour on the margins of the feathers. 

 The size most nearly corresponds with that of the jack-snipe, 

 only it is a little larger. The number of feathers in the tail 

 is also the same, being twelve, while the common snipe has 

 fourteen, and the great snipe sixteen. The narrower the 

 tail, the more woodland, generally speaking, is the habit of 

 the bird ; and the same rule which applies to the perennial 

 vegetation of the forest, applies to the tall annual vege- 

 tation on the marshes and banks of rivers. From the time 

 at which the Irish specimen was found (August), we cannot 

 well regard it as a stray one from any migration. If those 

 who record the notices of new or rare birds, would record 

 also the state of the weather for some time previous, they 

 would thereby greatly facilitate the progress of natural 

 science. 



THE JACK-SNIPE (Scolopax gallinulo). 



Of this regular winter visitant a figure, one-third of the 

 lineal dimension, is given on the plate at page 112. It is a 

 a small species, being only about half the size and weight of 

 the common snipe ; that is, about two ounces in weight. It 

 is a very beautiful little bird j the scapulars, rump, and other 



