SCOLOPACID^: SNIPE. 



623 



610. 



the back and scapulars with white ; the rump snowy-white, unmarked, very conspicuous in 

 flight. Tail and its upper coverts black, closely barred with white or rufous. A dusky line 

 from bill to eye. Bill and feet greenish-black. In winter : Dark gray above, the feathers 

 with dusky centres and pale gray or whitish edges; lower back pure white: superciliary 

 line and spot on under eye-lid white ; below, white, the jugulum, fore-breast, and sides heavily 

 shaded with gray, leaving chin whitish ; the flanks and crissum with wavy dusky spots or bars. 

 (For dimensions see above.) This variety is supposed to be restricted to E. N. A. (?), along 

 the Atlantic coast, where it abounds during the migration, in proportion of 1,000 to one of the 

 next variety. Breeds in high latitudes. Among the shore birds, this is a great favorite with 

 gunners. 



M. g. scolopa'ceus. (Lat. scolopaceus, snipe-like.) Western Dowitcher. Red-bel- 

 lied Snipe. Greater Long-beak. Like the last ; averaging larger, the bill especially 

 longer (see above). Weight 2 oz. 7 dr. to 4 oz. 4 dr. Entire under parts rich rusty-red, 

 including belly ; throat and breast scantily speckled, sides and flanks thickly barred, with 

 dusky. Winter and immature specimens indistinguishable from the last, excepting those sur- 

 passing the maximum size of the latter. N. Am. at large, supposed to be rare or casual on 

 the Atlantic side, and to be the only representative of the genus in tlie West (?). Like the 

 other, it is abundant ; migratory ; breeds in high latitudes. Both generally fly in large com- 

 pact flocks, like the sandpipers and shore-birds generally, rather than singly or in wisps like 



Fig. 437. — Bill ot Maarorhamphus griseus, nat. size, in profile, and its end from above. (Ad nat. del. E. C.) 



the true snipe ; and prefer the shores of bays and estuaries, instead of wet meadows. Eggs of 

 this variety or the last are not peculiar among their allies; 3-4 in number; length 1.55 to 

 1.75, by 1.10 to 1.15 broad; ground-color as in Gallinago, and general tone and style of mark- 

 ings the same. 

 233. MICROPA'IiAMA. (Grr. fUKpos, mikros, small ; irakdnrj, palame, a web.) Stilt Sand- 

 pipers. BiU much as in the last genus, but shorter, less evidently widened at the end and not 

 so distinctly furrowed on top, sometimes perceptibly curved. Wings long, pointed, 1st 

 primary longest, rest rapidly graduated. Tail about half as long as wings, slightly doubly- 

 emarginate. Legs very long ; tibiae bare an inch; tarsus as long as the bill. Feet semipal- 

 mate, the front toes being connected by two evident basal webs. Plumage resembling that 

 of Macrorhamphus in general character; its changes the same; sexes ahke. These two 

 genera are perfect links between snipe and sandpipers. One species. 

 611. M. himan'topus, (Gr. ijiavTonovs, Mmantopous, strap-legged. Fig. 438.) Stilt Sand- 

 piper. Adult ^ 9 , in summer : Above, blackish, each feather edged and tipped with white 

 and tawny or bay, which on the scapulars becomes scalloped. Aurieulars chestnut ; a dusky 

 line from bill to eye, and a light reddish superciliary one; upper tail- coverts white with 

 dusky bars. Primaries dusky with blackish tips ; tail-feathers 13, ashy-gray, their edges and 

 a central field white ; under parts mixed reddish, black, and whitish, in strealcs on the jugulum, 

 elsewhere iu bars ; bill and feet greenish-black. Length 8.50-9.00; extent 16.00-17.00; 



