79 [Vol. xxix. 



trachea. The intercalary syringeal semi-ring (fig. 1^ S.-f.s.r.) 

 and its accessory plate of cartilage were wanting. 



In the Woodcock the syringeal box was less expanded 

 than in the Jack and Common Snipes, but it was similarly 

 composed of four fused rings. The most striking pattern of 

 this syrinx was the degenerate condition of the intrinsic 

 muscles (fig. 3, B.t.), which appeared to terminate on the 

 hinder border of the syrinx. As a matter of fact, however j, 

 a number of fine tendinous fibres would be found to run to 

 the normal point of insertion in the middle of the first 

 bronchial semi-ring. 



Dr. P. H. Bahr made the following remarks : — 



" The interesting discoveries of Mr. Pycraf t have added 

 another to the list of specialized structures for which the 

 Scolopacina are remarkable. To my mind, the fact that 

 the syrinx of the Jack Snipe [Limnocryptes gallinuld) is 

 provided with an intercalary bar of cartilage, as Mr. Pycraft 

 has already pointed out, explains a great deal. 



" During the course of a number of experiments which I 

 published in 1907, I experimented with both the primary 

 wing-feathers and the rectrices of this Snipe, but was not 

 able to produce any characteristic sound with either of 

 them. Wolley has stated, and the accuracy of his state- 

 ments are proverbial, that in Lapland this Snipe while 

 soaring, at a great height over its breeding-grounds_, makes 

 a sound comparable to that of a horse galloping over a hard 

 road. We have now, in view of Mr. Pycraft's interesting 

 discovery, some reason to believe that the origin of this 

 sound is vocal. 



" V/e have records, made by such excellent observers as 

 Prof. ColJett, that the Great Snipe [Gallinago major), though 

 an allied species, has an entirely diflFerent nuptial display. 

 The males, it is said, meet together on common ground, 

 and there_, in much the same manner as the Blackcock, 

 display before the hens. The chief point about this display 

 is that the tail is spread out like a fan and moved up and 

 down, as if the bird was anxious to do something with its 

 tail, but did not quite know how to set about it. In this 



