570 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XX. 



are pyriform in shape, but less markedl}- so in some cases than in 

 others. 



The ground colour varies from a pale grey-green, grey-stone 

 colour, or yellowish-stone colour to a comparatively dark olive- 

 grey or olive-brown, in some cases the brown being dominant 

 and appearing to be almost a pure though pale vandyke brown. 



The markings consist of large irregular blotches, spots and dots 

 of rich brown, often almost black and rarely with a purple tint. 

 Secondaiy to these are similar markings of pale grey, lavender or 

 purplish brown. These are scattered to some extent all over the 

 surface, but, as a rule, they form a broad ring or cup at the larger 

 end where they are almost invariably more numerous than else- 

 where. In a few eggs a twisted line of deep brown ma)^ be 

 found at the larger end, but this is exceptional. 



In some eggs the markings are much elongated and are so 

 disposed as to give the idea of having been laid on whilst the egg 

 was being twisted, the trend of the blotches being distinctly spiral. 



The texture of the shell is smooth and close and the surface 

 fairly hard, in some cases with a decided gloss. 



They are very large for the size of the bird, and Seebohm gives 

 the measurements as between 1-5" and 1-65" in length and 1-05" 

 to 1-25" in breadth. Oates gives the greatest length and breadth 

 as 1-72" and 1-2" respectively and Dresser the average length as 

 1-61". 



In the southern part of their usual breeding range, the Common 

 Snipe begins to breed in early April and throughout May, but in the 

 more northern latitudes it does not commence to lay until June 

 and eggs have been taken well on into July. In the Himalayas I 

 do not think it breeds before May, and I have eggs taken in June. 



The three plates are excellent, but it is difficult on a half tone 

 plate to shew the differences between pure white and pale rufescent 

 and it is probably this reason which accounts for both wings and 

 tails appearing to have more white on them than is generally the 

 case in all the species depicted. 



In Plate A the difference between the terminal portions of the 

 bills of Gallinago stenura and G. coelestis is not quite pronounced 

 enough and the heads of both birds appear to be a trifle too large. 



