344 



LIMICOL^. 



349. SCOLOPAX GALLINULA. 



(JACK SNIPE.) 



Scolopax galUnula, Linneus, Syst. Nat. i. p. 244 (1766). 



The Jack Snipe is the smallest of all the Japanese Snipes (wing 

 from carpal joint 4 to 4"3 inches). It has a purple gloss on its 

 mantle^ and metallic green on the inside wehs of its scapulars. 



-^hM-^ 



Scolopax gallinula. 



Figures : Dresser, Birds of Europe, vii. pi. 544. 



The Jack Snipe passes the Japanese coasts on its spring and autumn 

 migrations. It has been procured at Hakodadi on the 3rd of October 

 (Whitely, Ibis, 1867, p. 206) ; and there are five examples in the 

 Pryer collection from Tfekohama. I have also three examples ob- 

 tained by Mr. Owston in Yokohama, one of them in November. 



The Jack Snipe is a regular winter visitor to the British Islands, 

 and doubtless breeds across the Arctic Regions of the Old World, 

 though it has not been recorded in Siberia east of the Taimur 

 Peninsula. 



