1901.1 



COMMON AND JACK SXIPES. 



597 



Common Snipe is a distinguishing feature, but one which is well 

 known : also the fact that in both birds, as in many Liraicoline 

 types (e. g. Scolojmx, Tringa), the extremities of the premaxillaries 

 and dentary bones are covered with a honeycomb-like reticnlation 

 of the surface of the bone in correspondence with a pitting of the 

 horny beak. This is rather more developed in G. ccelestis than in 

 G. ijalUmda ; the pitting extends farther back in the former species 1 . 

 The chief difference between the two Snipes observable on the 

 dorsal aspect of the skull concerns the nasal bones. Both are of 

 course schizorhinal ; but while G. ccelestis is typically so, the 

 space between the two parts of that bone gradually diminishing to 

 a mere chink. G. gaUinula shows the same " attempt " at holorhiny 

 which occurs in Rhynchcea, Hydrophasianus, and some other 

 Liraicoline birds ". 



Text-fi>. 64. 



Text-fig. 65. 



F.M. 



F.M. 



Text-fig. 64.— Baee of the skull of the Common Snipe I Gallmagocalestis). x 3. 



F.M., foramen magnum. 

 Text-fig. 66.— Base of the skull of the Jack Snipe {Gallinago gattinttla). x 3. 



F.M., foramen magnum. 



( )n the under surface of the skull two structural features can 



1 Beyond the symphysis in the lower jaw. 



- This fact, of courne, lessens the value <>i' the character aa ■ point of 

 difference between Rhynchaa and it- luppoaed alliei Gallinago and acolopax. 

 >v,- my paper upon the Brat-named bird, P. '/.. >'■■ 1901, vol. ii. p. •">'.•!-', where 

 trucuir.il peculiarity is further referred to. 



