194 scoLOPACiD^ : snipe, etc. 



with curious sounds, sometimes musically modulated. 

 When sitting closely little or no effluvium is disen- 

 gaged, so that the best dog may be at fault, though pass- 

 ing close by the nest. The general habits of the bird, 

 from the sportsman's standpoint, are too well known to 

 need description. I am inclined to think the swiftness 

 of the bird on wing is exaggerated, the difficulty in 

 shooting it down arising rather from the irregularity of 

 its course, and the thickness of the cover in which it is 

 usually flushed. 



Note. — The European Woodcock, Scolopax rusticula, is a 

 strajjgler to this country, and has been taken at points which 

 render it probable that it passed New England to reach them 

 (Newfoundland, Long Island, New Jersey, Virginia). It has con- 

 sequently been included hypothetically in the New England List. 

 Though the inference is permissible, the fact remains to be demon- 

 strated. It may be recognized, among other characters, by its 

 greatly superior size and lack of the attenuated outer primaries. 



THE AMERICAN SNIPE; WILSON'S SNIPE. 

 Gallinago wilsoni {Temm.) Bp. 



Chars. Upper parts varied with black, brown, and a buff or reddish 

 shade, the latter forming especially two lengthwise stripes on 

 each side, along the inner border of the wing. Under parts 

 white ; throat and breast spotted and streaked with brownish, the 

 hning of the wings and axillary feathers and sides of the body 

 barred regularly with black. Tail barred with black, white and 

 chestnut ; some of the lateral feathers narrowed. Crown dark 

 with a median light stripe. Length, about lo.oo ; extent, 16.25 ; 

 wing, 5.00 ; tail, 2.00 ; bill, 2.50, but variable ; tarsus, 1.40. 



The name of "English" Snipe, of common but 

 erroneous application to this bird, is a misnomer, the 



