JACK SNIPE. 



Scolopax Gallinula, Linn. 

 Le Becassine sourde. 



The Jack Snipe, although equally as abundant as the Common Snipe during the autumn and winter, quits us 

 entirely on the approach of spring, and retires to more northern countries, probably within the regions of the 

 arctic circle, where, in company with numerous others of the feathered race, it remains to incubate, andagciin 

 returns to us in the months of October and November, when as long as the weather is open it may be found 

 in any of the marshy districts of this country, and throughout the Continent generally. We have reason to 

 believe, however, that Europe alone constitutes its true and almost exclusive habitat ; for although it may be oc- 

 casionally met with out of Europe, it is extremely rare. Among all the numerous collections from the Himalaya 

 mountains we do not recollect having seen more than one specimen. It is by far the least of the true Scolo- 

 pacidce, its weight being seldom more than two ounces. The Jack Snipe usually frequents the same localities 

 as the Common Snipe, but differs from it considerably in its habits and manners ; for while the latter is some- 

 what shy and easily flushed, the Jack Snipe, on the contrary, will frequently allow itself to be almost trodden 

 upon before it can be forced to take wing. And we cannot fail to remark how beautifully the colouring of this 

 bird assimilates with the ground and the surrounding herbage among which it lies, which, together with its mo- 

 tionless manner of lying, renders it most difficult to be discerned, unless the spot on which it sits is most care- 

 fully and scrutinously examined. The individual from which our drawing is taken was captured alive by our- 

 selves with the hand, from before the nose of the pointer. 



Its flight, although often extremely rapid, is seldom prolonged to any distance, the bird generally alighting 

 again immediately, except on the approach of the vernal migration, when we have seen it mount in the air 

 and totally disappear, without even uttering the alarm cry usual with this and other members of the genus. 

 Its flesh has a most delicate flavour, but from its diminutive size it is not so much sought after by the sports- 

 man as the larger common species. 



It is said to breed in bogs and morasses, and according to M. Temminck the eggs are four in number. 



The sexes offer no difference in the markings of their plumage, which undergoes little or no change in 

 spring or summer. The young acquire the adult colouring, although not so bright, from the time they leave 

 the nest. 



A band of black spotted with yellowish red extends from the forehead to the nape ; a distinct band of buff 

 passes over the eye ; the remainder of the face is alternately striped with black and light buff; throat whitish ; 

 upper part of the chest yellowish brown, blotched with spots of brown ; back and scapulars blackish brown 

 with green and bronze-like purple reflections ; the latter feathers are long and narrow, and have their outer 

 edges of rich buff, forming two longitudinal bands down each side ; wing-coverts blackish brown, each feather 

 margined with light brown ; tail brownish black edged with rich brown ; abdomen white : flanks and lower 

 parts longitudinally streaked with brown ; legs olive ; bill greyish olive. 



The Plate represents two birds of the natural size. 



