SCOLOPAX. 



Plates. — Gould, Birds of Gt. Brit. iv. pi. 78 ; Dresser, Birds of Europe, vii. pi. 541. 

 Habits. — Seebohm, British Birds, iii. p. 237. 

 Eggs. — Seebohm, British Birds, pi. 28. figs. 1, 3. 



483 



Literature. 



The Great Snipe is the only species of the genus which combines the two characters Specific 



of predominant colour of four outer tail-feathers on each side pure white, and median wing- 

 coverts broadly tipped with pure tohite. 



The geographical distribution of the Great Snipe is a very remarkable one, extending 

 in summer from Scandinavia to the valley of the Yenesay, but in winter confined to the 

 basin of the Mediterranean and the continent of Africa. The Great Snipe is not even 

 known to pass through Turkestan on migration. It breeds in suitable localities throughout 

 the basin of the Baltic, and in Scandinavia as far north as lat. 70 9 . To the British Islands 

 it is only an accidental wanderer on migration, and has occurred in most parts of the 

 country, including the Orkneys and Shetlands, but it is not known to have visited Iceland 

 or the Faroes. In the valleys of the Petchora and the Obb it ranges up to lat. 67-^° ; but 



characters. 



Geographi- 

 cal distrihu- 

 tion. 



in the valley of the Yenesay it does not go further north than lat. 66^°. There is no 

 satisfactory evidence that it has ever occurred near Lake Baikal or in the valley of the 

 Amoor. It passes through the Caucasus and North Persia on migration, and winters 

 in suitable localities throughout South Africa, a few remaining in the basin of the Medi- 

 terranean. It crosses the Straits of Gibraltar, though not in great numbers, in spring 

 and autumn ; but in Malta it is said only to occur on the spring migration. 



This geographical distribution is specially interesting as affording one of many other 

 examples of migratory birds which have extended their breeding-range to a considerable 

 distance, but, in consequence of their having continued to follow their ancient "fly-lines," 



3 q2 



