36 HISTORY OF 



RED-BREASTED SNIPE. 



Macroramphus Griseus. LEACH. 



THE celebrated author of the " Ornithological Dictionary," 

 was, we believe, the first who was fortunate enough to obtain 

 a British killed specimen of the bird before us. It is now 

 in the British Museum. In Mr. Gould's " European Birds," 

 an instance of its capture is mentioned as having occurred 

 near Yarmouth. 



The Red-breasted Snipe appears to form a connecting link 

 between the true Snipes of the genus Scolopax, and the Sand- 

 pipers of the genus Tringa, having the bill of the former, and 

 resembling the latter in having slightly membrinated toes, as 

 well as in the periodical changes of its plumage. 



Wilson informs us, that it arrives in New Jersey in the 

 beginning of April, and is seldom or never seen inland. Early 

 in May it proceeds to the north to breed, and returns by the 

 latter part of July or beginning of August. They sometimes 



