JACK SNIPE. 
SCO LOP AX GALLINULA. 
Ov the approach of autumn the Jack Snipe is to be met with in all parts of the- British Islands, more 
peni u pci laps (accoi ing to my own experience) in the southern and eastern counties of England 
hough an annua visitor to every suitable locality from north to south. The occurrence of this species 
las een requen y lepor ed in various counties during the summer months, and it is probable that birds 
weakened by wounds or other causes may occasionally be found after the usual date of their departure 
has passed ; m many instances, however, I am of opinion that there has been some mistake as to the species. 
But a smgle statement that appears trustworthy has come to my knowledge , in this instance I was informed 
by a^orfo k marshman that while attending a net in 1870, w-hich he fished every morning, a Jack Snipe 
malhr ** fnrtniglit in the beginning of June, at a small slade in the 
with Snipes .-dolTe” “ThoLyrr 1^"' 
I “ aware, no reliable instance of the species remaining to breed in this country 
of JacTs takl t, -T -- l^ody 
avain in 1804 l"re are to be seen in April. In 1801 and ’02. and 
am n 1804 I repeatedly met with a few couples in Pevenscy Level in Sussex, early in the month 
iiushpl “u T '’““S dated April 18tli, when a couple were 
“tlmf east of « 
hail wldle l®''^^-“^P‘-il 23. Cold north wind, frequent squalls of snow and 
a single bird I Tf % '’* ““ ’’ondes round the Sounds, a Jack Snipe was flushed; not 
sm,le bud had been seen for the last two mouths. I learned, however, on the followin.- day that a 
orl^eetore" 'east two 
cncounLTtiirT?"' "‘7 ‘•'e '“Ser flights are seldom 
ncounteied till a few weeks later in the season. When living in the west of Perthshire, I noticed for 
ccessive years that the first couple of Jack Snipe were found at a small rush-grown pool on the 
tlk no 111 7 7 ° ‘•“y t«i"S exeeedingly wet and stormy, I 
!titm that ran ‘ ““ round the pool and a siall 
turned back ‘ "’eie thorouglily explored without starting the expected Jack, and at last I 
was ^ttractedTT, "'‘™‘ »f *«<=“**• Before proceeding many yards, my attention 
attracted by the retriever shoving her nose into my hand, and on looking down I discovered old Nell 
was carrying a Jack in her mouth. As she had not stirred from my heels, it was evident the bird must 
been walked over. Tliinking that probably this Snipe was not alone, I returned at once, and huntim 
