<^x 



JACK SNIPE. 



SCOLOPAX GALLINULA, Linn. 



Scolopax gallinukj Linn. S. N. i. p. 244 (1766) j Naum. viii. 



p. 344, xiii. p. 346; Macg. iv. p. 380; Hewitson, ii. 



p. 355. 

 Gallinago gallinula, Yarr. ed. 4, iii. p. 351; Dresser, vii. 



p. 653. 



Becassine sourde, French ; Kleine Schnepfe, German ; 

 Agachadiza sorda, Gachona chica, Spanish. 



To those of my readers who carry the gun, and are 

 able to indulge in the fascinating sport of Snipe- 

 shooting, a description of the habits of this pretty but 

 somewhat irritating little wanderer will, I fear, be 

 superfluous. HovA'ever, as "Jack" is a British bird by 

 right of abundant habitual winter residence in our 

 Islands, and some of my subscribers are not content 

 with my pictures without some accompanying notes, I 

 will state what 1 know in this instance, although I am 

 well aware that I can adduce nothing that has not 

 already been repeatedly recorded. It is hardly neces- 

 sary to refer to the belief that was prevalent in my boy- 

 hood, not only amongst gamekeepers, but also in the 

 minds of many of their employers, that this bird was 

 the male of the Common Snipe, but it certainly is 



