General 
descrip- 
tion. 
124 GRALLATORES. SCOLOPAX. SNIPE. 
ing a strong resemblance in general appearance, but which, 
upon investigation and comparison, are found to possess cha- 
racters essentially distinct ; such is the Snipe of North Ame- 
rica (Scolopax delicata of Orv), another belonging to South- 
ern Africa, and two or three from Asia. Scolopax Gallinago, 
as far as my observation serves, appears confined to Europe, 
and the north of Asia. The flesh of the Snipe is delicately 
flavoured, and of course in great estimation for the table ; 
and in autumn, and the milder parts of winter, when a plen- 
tiful supply of food is to be obtained, it becomes very fat 
and delicious, and is always dressed, like the Woodcock, 
without extracting the entrails, which are considered not the 
least savoury part of the bird. In the fens, Snipes are some- 
times taken by lark-nets, and the springe (which I have de- 
scribed above, under the article Woodcock), is also occasion- 
ally used to capture them; but the favourite mode of pur- 
suit is with the gun, as they afford an inviting trial of skill 
to the sportsman, from the quickness and oblique movements 
of their flight. From the disposition of the colours in its 
plumage, assimilating so well with the situations it inhabits, 
there is difficulty in discerning this bird upon the ground, 
and this is increased by its squatting closely down the mo- 
ment an intruder approaches. I have now, for many years, 
been in the habit of shooting great numbers of Snipes, and 
although well acquainted with the exact spots they are ac- 
customed to frequent, very few instances have occurred in 
which I have obtained a sight of the bird, previous to its tak- 
ing wing. In the bogs of Ireland Snipes are very abun- 
dant. 
PraTE 23. Fig. 3. Represents this bird of the natural size. 
Bill yellowish-brown, inclining to flesh-red at the base, 
and darker towards the tip. Streak between the bill 
and eye dark brown. Crown of the head blackish- 
brown, divided down the centre by a line of yellowish- 
white. Chin and throat white. On each side of the 
