448 RED-BREASTED SNIPE. 
to this no exception as in the Zringe. But in Rusticola 
there is no naked space on the tibia, whilst it exists, though 
small, in Scolopax, and is considerable in the present sub- 
genus. In this the tarsus is much longer than the middle 
toe, while in the true snipes it is subequal, and in the wood- 
cocks decidedly shorter. In the present the outer toe is 
connected to the first joint with the middle by a membrane, 
whilst in the two others all the toes are cleft: in this and 
Scolopax the hind nail is falculate and acute, as well as 
the others, and projects beyond the toe, which is not the case 
in the woodcocks, which have that nail quite blunt and drawn 
back. On the other hand, J/acroramphus agrees with Rust- 
cola in the tail, that part having the regular number of 
twelve feathers, whilst in the typical snipes the number of 
feathers as well as their shape varies amazingly in the differ- 
ent, and otherwise strikingly similar species. Some have it of 
twelve, others of fourteen, sixteen, eighteen, and one even of 
twenty-four feathers, a number before unheard of in any other 
bird whatsoever. In all these groups the tail is nevertheless 
short, equal, or more or less rounded. In both the groups 
of snipes the first quill is the longest; but in the species of 
woodcocks the quills vary in length and shape, affording the 
same anomalies and useful marks as the tail-feathers in the 
true snipes. In the European woodcock the primaries are 
of equal breadth and the two first longest, while in the 
American the three outer quills are very narrow, linear, and 
the fourth and fifth longest. 
The females in this genus are similar in colour to the 
males, but larger, considerably so in the American wood- 
cock. ‘They moult twice in the year, but the present is the 
only one that varies much with age or season. 
It will not be wronging any to call them all stupid birds, 
though the present is less so: this only of its genus is grega- 
rious, associating and flying in numerous flocks. Like the 
snipes, and contrary to the woodcocks, they do not dwell in 
damp woods or forests, but frequent open marshy grounds 
