Plate XCVII. 



GALLINAGO IMPERIALS. 



aMPEEIAL SNIPE). 



Gallinago imperialis 



Scl. et. Salv. P. Z. S. 1869, p. 419. 



Supra saturate rufa, nigro variegata et transfasciata, facie paulo dilutiore, remigibus primariis nigricantibus, 

 secundariis extus dorso concoloribus ; subtus gutture toto ad medium pectus nigro et rufo variegato ; abdomine albo 

 nigroque regulariter transfasciato, Cauda brevi, a tectricibus superioribus coperta, nigricante unicolore ; tectricibus 

 subalaribus nigricantibus, fasciis paucis obscuris albis ; tarsis brevibus, robustis, tibiis fere omnino plumis obtectis : 

 long, tota ll'O, alas 6 # 0, caudse 1*5, tarsi 1"2, digiti medii cum ungue 1*7, rostri a rictu 3*3, 



Sab. in Nova Granada interiore. 



We have lately described this singular bird from a specimen purchased by Salvin some 

 time ago of a dealer in London along with a number of other birds received direct from Bogota. 

 It should be mentioned that the specimen was not prepared after the usual well-known fashion 

 of u Bogota" skins, having been roughly mounted. But the dealer stated that his correspondent 

 in New Granada had called his attention to the bird as being something rare, and that there 

 could be no doubt as to its origin. 



Notwithstanding this statement, we were at first sight inclined to think that the bird might 

 be Scolopax saturata of Java, which it somewhat resembles in general coloration, and that an 

 error had been made about the locality. This point was soon settled in the negative, by 

 reference to the original type-specimen of Horsfield. Scolopax saturata possesses the character- 

 istic white terminations of the rectrices, and the cross patches on the back of the head, which 

 distinguish the veritable Woodcocks (Scolopax). There can be no question, however, that our 

 bird shews considerable rapprochement towards true Scolojpax, though we think it best to keep 

 it within the limits of Gallinago, its nearest structural allies being G. strichlandi and G. jamesoni, 

 both of which have short robust tarsi, and the tibiae feathered, as in the present species, nearly 

 down to the tarsal joint. The wings of our single specimen of this bird are not in very 

 perfect condition, but, as far as we can tell, the third and fourth primaries would be rather 

 longer than the first and second, and longest. The secondaries, as in all Snipes, are very 

 long, and in the present bird quite reach to the points of the primaries when the wing is closed. 

 The tail-feathers are likewise deficient, only three of them remaining in situ. These shew no 

 traces of transverse markings whatever, in which respect this bird is more like true Scolopax 

 than Gallinago. But there are likewise no traces of the white terminations of the tail-feathers, 

 which are so conspicuous in the Woodcocks. 



Our figure of this bird is taken from the typical specimen in the collection of Salvin and 

 Godman, which at present remains unique. 



r io3. ] 





PHp 



