412 Scolopacidce. 



SCOLOPACID.E (THE SNIPES). 



Many of the species which compose this large family are well 

 known to the sportsman as well as to the epicure. The most 

 observable characteristic of the race is the long and slender 

 round-tipped beak, with which they are enabled to probe the 

 soft earth or mud and extract their prey, which consists of 

 worms and various insects and grubs ; for the Snipe family does 

 not live on air, or on nourishment derived by suction from 

 muddy water, as is very often popularly supposed. And yet 

 these birds are in one sense truly designated ' birds of suction/ 

 for their beaks are marvellously formed for the purpose required, 

 by means of an unusual development of highly sensitive nerves 

 to the extreme tip, thus endowing them with an exquisite 

 sense of feeling ; while at the same time that member is further 

 provided with a peculiar muscle, which, by the closing or con- 

 tracting of the upper part of the mandibles, operates so as to 

 expand them at the point, and enables the bird, with the beak 

 still buried in the ground, to seize its prey the moment it is 

 aware of being in contact with it. Thus the delicate sense of 

 touch down to the very point of the beak, and its capability of 

 seizing as in a forceps the worm which it cannot see, renders 

 that admirable organ complete for its purposes, and enables it 

 to serve the place of eyes, nose, tongue, and hand. Hence the 

 name Scolopacidce from o-tcoXoyfr, ' anything pointed,' or ' a stake '; 

 which well applies to the beaks of alt the members of this family. 

 Birds of the Snipe family have also for the most part long and 

 slender legs, large and prominent eyes, and well-developed wings. 

 They are all migrants, and also move from one chosen locality to 

 another, as the frost compels them ; for soft damp ground in 

 which they can bore with their sensitive beaks without difficulty 

 is absolutely essential to them. 



150. CURLEW (Numenius arquata). 



This was a common bird on the downs within the memory of 

 many living sportsmen. The late Mr. Butler, of Kennett (from 



