151 



BROWN SNIPE. 



BROWN LONG-BEAK. RED-BREASTED SNIPE. GRAY SNIPE. 



Maerorhamphus griseus, ..... Leach. 



Scolopax grisea, ..... Montagu. 



Scolopax Noveboracensis, ..... Wilson. 



Becassine ponctuee, ..... Temjiinck. 



Maerorhamphus. 2Lal;ros — Long. Hamphos — A beak. Griseus — From the French Gris — Gray. 



This is an extremely rare accidental straggler to the shores of Great Britain. It was 

 first noticed as a distinct species by Montagu, who obtained his specimen on the Devon- 

 shire coast in its winter dress, in October, 1801. This specimen is, we believe, in the 

 British Museum. Another was procured near Yarmouth, in Norfolk, about 1827, in the 

 summer plumage. A third was shot near Carlisle, and fell into the hands of Mr. Heysham, 

 of that place. Three or four other specimens have since been obtained in England ; but 

 it has never been recognised either in Ireland or Scotland. 



It has occurred in Sweden. 



Its natural habitat, however, appears to be the coast of America, breeding in the 

 north, even to the Arctic circle, and wintering in the tropics. 



It is therefore a migratory bird, and visits the coasts of the United States in April 

 on its way to its breeding stations, and again in autumn when returning south for the 

 winter. 



In the United States, it occurs plentifully at the above times, and is greatly prized 

 by the gunners. Wilson says, "Of all our sea-side Snipes, it is the most numerous, 

 and the most delicious for the table. From these circumstances, and the crowded manner 

 in which it flies and settles, it is the most eagerly sought after by our gunners, who 

 send them to market in great numbers." 



Unlike our own Snipes, the Brown Long-beak frequents the sea-shore, preferring soft, 

 muddy situations near the sea, and also following the tide as it retires, after the manner 

 of many of our shore birds. Alexander Wilson, speaking of this Snipe, says, "The Bed- 

 breasted Snipe arrives on the sea-coast of New Jersey early in April ; is seldom or never 



