THE COMMON SNIPE. 677 



Field -characters. — Snipe are unique in their longitudinally 

 striped plumage, which conceals them effectively among withered 

 herbage, but, coupled with their very long, straight bills, identifies 

 them at once in the open. Its greater size and broad pale stripe 

 down middle of crown differentiates Common from Jack Snipe. 

 Frequents swamps and pools, wet meadows, peat-mosses and rushy 

 upland fields. When flushed zig-zags rapidly close to ground for 

 a few yards, with a hoarse " scape " of alarm, then rises and goes 

 clear away. In breeding-season flies in wide circles at consider- 

 able height above nesting-place uttering deliberate and sustained 

 " chip-per, chip-per," which alternates with a far-reaching bleating 

 sound as bird plunges downwards for several feet, two outermost 

 tail-feathers — by which the sound is produced — standing out clearly 

 from the others. A loud, continuous " tchik-tchak, tchik-tchak " 

 expresses alarm when young are in danger. 



Breeding-habits. — Haunts marshy meadows, wet spots on 

 rough pasture, moors, etc. Nest. — Hollow in tuft of grass, rushes 

 or even in heather, lined with grasses. Eggs. — Normally 4, rarely 5, 

 pyriform, varying from pale greenish or bluish to ochreous or pale 

 brown, blotched and spotted with various shades of sepia and ashy 

 shell-marks. These markings often show signs of rotation in the 

 oviduct. Average of 100 British eggs, 39.4 x 28.7. Max. : 42.7 X 29 

 and 39.3x30.3. Min. : 35x28.4 and 36.3x26.7 mm. Breeding- 

 season. — Occasionally in March, but more usually from April 

 onward. Late nests may be met with in July and Aug. Incubation. 

 — Probably by female only. Period : 19-1 9 J days (Ogilvie) ; 

 20th day from laying of last egg (Evans). Possibly late layings 

 may sometimes be second broods. 



Food. — Very largely worms, especially dew worms and small red 

 species ; also insects ; coleoptera (Staphylinidce, Bembidium, 

 Amara, etc.) ; diptera and their larvae (Tipulidce, etc.) ; lepidoptera 

 (moths), larvaa of Phryganeidse and cuckoo -spit (Pytelus spumar* 

 ius) ; mollusca, both land and fresh water {Helix, Planorbis, etc.) 

 etc.) and eggs of snails ; also woodlice ; vegetable matter found 

 in stomach includes grass, grain and seeds of Ranunculus, Carex, 

 Glyceria, Bumex, etc. 



Distribution. — British Isles. — Resident ; to what extent breeding 

 birds are migrant is uncertain but ringing results indicate certain 

 amount of wandering within the country and passage -movements 

 between Gt. Britain and Ireland. Early autumn movements (end 

 July and Aug.) occasionally reported are probably those of our 

 breeding birds. Passage -migrant (1st week March to second week 

 May and early Sept. (early dates, Aug. 4th, 1911, 5th, 1912, Fair 

 Isle) to end Nov.) and winter -visitor. Breeds locally suitable places 

 throughout but in some southern English counties rarely. Abun- 

 dant on passage and in winter, when weather-movements are 

 frequent. 



