THE PAINTED SNIPE. 
259 
tant parts of the world ; and as they resemble each other in 
manners^ so do they nearly agree in form and colour. 
The genus 'RliyncJicea is closely allied to that genus which 
contains the snipe and woodcock; it chiefly differs from 
Scolopax in the mandibles being nearly equal and a little 
arched at the end, with the nasal grooves extending to the 
tip of the upper one. Like the snipes, the species of Mhyn- 
chcea have no webs to the toes of their feet; their plumage 
is more gaudy than that of the snipes and woodcocks, the 
quill-feathers of the wings and tail being particularly deco- 
rated with pretty ocellated spots. 
The Painted Snipe {JRJiynclma pieta, Gray) is, according 
to Jerdon"^^ a permanent resident in India; frequenting, 
like its allies in temperate regions, the most marshy spots, 
where its variegated brown and dusky yellow colours must 
help much to conceal it from view. On the grassy edges 
of tanks, marshes, and paddy-fields it may always be found; 
and there, with its long beak, so delicately supplied with 
nerves, it finds in the moist ground worms and grubs. Mr. 
Jerdon fancies that the greater number of this species breeds 
in the northern part of India, as it appears in considerable 
numbers at the commencement of the cold season. 
* Madras Journal, vol. xii. p. 206. 
