sabine's snipe. 277 



character, did appear to have the tarsi in a very slight degree 

 stouter than those of the S. gallinago with which it was compared. 

 They are much darker in colour than those of the common snipe, 

 but not more so than would be exhibited in equally dark-coloured 

 varieties of that species. The tarsi and toes of a second specimen 

 in Dublin University Museum entirely agree in form and colour 

 with those of the individual already noticed, but further, it and 

 a third example preserved there, are too imperfect for comparison. 

 We must not be led astray by such changes as the taxidermist can 

 effect by his manner of setting up birds. Some of the specimens 

 of S, Sabini that I have seen, had evidently been stuffed to appear 

 as like woodcocks as possible in the body, and also in the feathers 

 of the tibia? being arranged so as almost to reach the tarsal joint. 



If there be not sufficient structural characters to mark S. Sabini 

 as a distinct species, we cannot on those of colour alone admit it 

 to that rank. In colour, however, it is peculiar and constant, 

 thus differing from the ordinary varieties of woodcocks, snipes, &c, 

 that we occasionally see — hardly two individuals of which are 

 exactly similar. Every specimen of 8. Sabini that has occurred 

 was coloured much alike, and was remarkable by "the total 

 absence of white from its plumage, or of any of those lighter 

 tints of ferruginous yellow which extend more or less in stripes 

 along the head and back " of the other European snipes. 



We know nothing positively of any difference in the habits, 

 call, &c, of the S. Sabini from those of S. gallinago. On these 

 points, the two sportsmen who have favoured us with their re- 

 marks on the individuals which they shot, report differently, 

 though no doubt both correctly. The one tells us that his bird, 

 which rose about the same time as some common snipes, did not 

 " squeak " as the latter usually do when sprung, and that after 

 being twice fired at, it pitched quite near again, like the jack 

 snipe. The other rose in company with a common snipe, and 

 uttered a similar cry, but for which it would have escaped, as 

 its colour led the sportsman at first sight to believe it to be a 

 water-rail. The former one was also, from its dark colour, sup- 

 posed to be a water-rail when it sprang. 



