SNIPE. GRALLATORES. SCOLOPAX. 127 
siderably bent, and forming an acute angle with the body. 
It seldom flies to any distance, but drops in the first miry 
spot that presents itself, from whence it is roused with even 
more difficulty than at first. It utters no alarm-cry when it 
rises, nor have I been able to discover any note belonging 
to this species.—Of its nidification I can only speak after Nest, &c. 
other writers, who state the site of the nest to be in bogs 
and morasses, and Trmmrnck enumerates the eggs as four 
or five; the former of which is, in all probability, the cor- 
rect number, as this appears the usual quantity laid by all 
the Scolopacide; and I believe the same holds good with 
respect to. the Charadriada. Its geographical distribution 
seems confined to Europe and Northern Asia; although 
Lartuam, in his Index Ornithologicus, mentions it also as 
an American species, in which he is followed by StrrHENs 
and other compilers. This, however, requires corroboration, 
more particularly as it is not enumerated by Witson; or 
by any other writer who has treated upon the birds of that 
country. In the delicacy and flavour of its flesh it is equal 
to its congeners, and, considered in this point of view, is not 
too diminutive to attract the aim of the sportsman. In open 
and mild weather it soon becomes exceedingly fat, and as 
speedily loses its condition in severe frosts, when its feeding- 
ground is restricted to the heads of springs and unfrozen 
ditches. 
PLate 23. Fig. 5. represents this bird of the natural size. 
Bill black at the tip, fading into grey, with a tinge of es 
flesh-red, towards the base. From the bill, over the eye tion. 
and down to the nape of the neck, is a broad streak of 
cream-yellow. Between the bill and eye is a streak of 
amber-brown. The ear-coverts have a mixture of white 
and brown, each feather being tipped with black. 
Crown of the head black; the feathers bemg margined 
with reddish-brown. Throat white. Lower part of the 
neck and the breast pale yellowish-brown, tinged with 
