196 SNIPE. 



black, and the ends white, or pale orange ; vent dull yellow; legs 

 pale green ; toes divided to the origin. The difference between the 

 sexes not to be distinguished. 



We scarcely know of any bird which is so universally spread as 

 this species, being mentioned by most voyagers, as well as brought 

 into England from such variety of places. It is known every where 

 on the Old Continent, from the Arctic regions of Siberia, to the 

 Cape of Good Hope, at which place it is pretty common ; also in the 

 Islands of Ceylon and Japan ; India and China ; likewise Sumatra, 

 called there Sckadidi; in Java called Aberka, and Burchet. 



It is every where in America, almost without exception,* and 

 swarms in South Carolina, f — I have received a specimen from 

 Cayenne, and been informed, that it is likewise at Surinam. It has 

 also been sent to me from Jamaica ; and said to be extremely common 

 in Falkland Islands, even more so than in England.J 



With us, for the most part, it disappears as the spring advances, but 

 we have just reason to suppose that the whole do not depart, the nest 

 being frequently found in the fens and marshes in various parts of 

 the kingdom ;|| it is composed of dried plants and a few feathers; 

 the eggs four or five, oblong, dirty olive, marked with dusky spots ; 

 when disturbed in the breeding season, soars to a vast height, making 

 a singular bleating kind of noise, and in its descent darts down with 

 vast rapidity. The male, while his mate is sitting, often poises 

 himself on his wings, making sometimes a whistling, at others a 

 drumming noise : § the food is worms, and other insects, and small 

 snails. Both this, the Jack Snipe, and Woodcock, are dressed 

 without taking out the intestines, as the latter are thought to add 

 to their delicacy. 



* Mr. Wilson says, that found in America is less, and has sixteen feathers in the tail. 



f Arct. Zool. The plumage in general like our Snipe, but smaller. 



J Penrose. — Falk. Jsl. 36. — Bougain. Voy. Cook's last Voy. i. 151. 



|| In the Fens of Lincolnsh. Wolmar Forest, Bodmyn Downs, &c. Barringt. Misc. 211. , 

 It is said to breed in several of the Islets called Aytes, or Eyettes, in the River Thames. 

 See also Lin. Trans, iii. p. 31. § Br. Zool. 



