SCOLOPACIDjE : SNIPE. 
623 
the back and scapulars with white ; the rump snowy-white, unmarked, very conspicuous in 
flight. Tail and its upper coverts black, closely barred with white or rufous. A dusky line 
from bill to eye. Bill and feet greenish-black. In winter : Dark gray above, the feathers 
with dusky centres and pale gray or whitish edges; lower back pure white: superciliary 
line and spot on under eye-lid wliite ; below, white, the jugulum, fore-breast, and sides heavily 
shaded with gray, leaving chin whitish ; the flanks and crissum with wavy dusky spots or bars. 
(For dimensions see above.) This variety is supposed to be restricted to E. N. A. (?), along 
the Atlantic coast, where it abounds during the migration, in proportion of 1,000 to one of the 
next variety. Breeds in high latitudes. Among the shore birds, this is a great favorite with 
gunners. 
610. M. g. scolopa'ceus, (Lat. scolopaceus, snipe-like.) Western Dowitcher. Red-bel- 
lied Snipe. Greater Long-beak. Like the last ; averaging larger, the bill especially 
longer (see above). Weight 2 oz. 7 dr. to 4 oz. 4 dr. Entire under parts rich rusty-red, 
including belly ; throat and breast scantily speckled, sides and flanks thickly barred, with 
dusky. Winter and immature specimens indistinguishable from the last, excepting those sur- 
passing the maximum size of the latter. N. Am. at large, supposed to be rare or casual on 
the Atlantic side, and to be the only representative of the genus in the West (?). Like the 
other, it is abundant ; migratory ; breeds in high latitudes. Both generally fly in large com- 
pact flocks, like the sandpipers and shore-birds generally, rather than singly or in wisps like 
Fig. 437. — Bill Oi Macrorhamphus griseus, nat. size, in profile, and its end from above. (Ad nat. del. E. C.) 
the true snipe ; and prefer the shores of bays and estuaries, instead of wet meadows. Eggs of 
this variety or the last are not peculiar among their allies; 3-4 in number; length 1.55 to 
1.75, by 1.10 to 1.15 broad; ground-color as in Gallinago, and general tone and style of mark- 
ings the same. 
233. MICROPA'LAMA. (Gr. /xifcpo'y, mih'os, small; TraXdfjLT}, palame, a web.) Stilt Sand- 
pipers. Bill much as in the last genus, but shorter, less evidently widened at the end and not 
so distinctly furrowed on top, sometimes perceptibly curved. Wings long, pointed, 1st 
primary longest, rest rapidly graduated. Tail about half as long as wings, slightly doubly- 
emargiuate. Legs very long ; tibiae bare an inch ; tarsus as long as the bill. Feet semipal- 
mate, the front toes being connected by two evident basal webs. Plumage resembling that 
of Macrorhamphus in general character; its changes the same; sexes alike. These two 
genera are perfect links between snipe and sandpipers. One species. 
611. M. himan'topus. (Gr. IfiavTOTrovs, liimantopous, strap-legged. Fig. 488.) Stilt Sand- 
piper. Adult 9 7 in summer : Above, blackish, each feather edged and tipped with white 
and tawny or bay, which on the scapulars becomes scalloped. Auriculars chestnut ; a dusky 
line from bill to eye, and a light reddish superciliary one; upper tail-coverts white with 
dusky bars. Primaries dusky with blackish tips ; tail-feathers 12, ashy-gray, their edges and 
a central field white ; under parts mixed reddish, black, and whitish, in streaks on the jugulum, 
elsewhere ia bars ; bill and feet greenish-black. Length 8.50-9.00; extent IG. 00-17. 00 ; 
