SCOLOPACIDrE — THE SNIPE FAMILY — GALLINAGO. 
189 
white, and barred with black throughout their length. Bill brown (greenish gray iu life), paler at 
base and darker toward the end ; legs dark brown (light greenish gray in life). 
Total length, about 10.50 to 11.50 inches ; extent, 16.50 to 17.50; wing, 5.00 to 5.60; tail, 
2.25 ; bill, 2.50 to 2.60 ; tarsus, 1.25. 
In a very large series of specimens from all parts of the continent north of Panama, no varia- 
tions are noticeable other than what appear of a purely individual character, and these are seldom 
very pronounced. 
Hardly second even to the famed Woodcock as a game-bird, the common Ameri- 
can Snipe has a much more extended range than that species. It is found from 
the Atlantic to the Pacific, in the winter extending its migrations to Mexico and 
Central and Northern South America, and in the summer breeding as far north as 
Whale Cove, on Hudson’s Bay, on the east, and Sitka, Kadiak, Port Yukon, and 
Fort Anderson on the north and west. It breeds from latitude 42° northward ; 
and a few are occasionally known to nest south of that line, and even in Maryland. 
Major Wedderburn states that this bird is more or less common in Bermuda 
during the autumnal migration, coming in October, and a few remaining until the 
month of January. In October, 1849, an immense number appeared, and remained 
a few days. Some are killed from year to year in the months of March, April, and 
May, in their vernal migrations. Mr. Hurdis states that it was occasionally met 
with as early as the 13th of September. Mr. Leyland found it common in winter 
near Omoa. Mr. G. C. Taylor observed it near Comayagua, and has no doubt that it 
is very common there in the rainy season ; and Mr. Salvin met with it in Guate- 
mala. Professor Newton mentions its occurrence in St. Croix in the fall, but not 
in numbers. It is included by Leotaud among the common birds of the Island of 
Trinidad, where by many it is regarded as a resident species. The last-named author 
speaks of it as having the same appearance, the same cry, and the same habits as the 
common Snipe of Europe. Its flesh is deservedly held in high esteem. It prefers 
low, moist, and partially inundated meadows, where it is quite common. Hearne, 
in his “Journey to the Northern Ocean” (p. 425), mentions this Snipe as visiting 
Hudson’s Bay in considerable numbers, but as only very rarely seen north of Whale 
Cove. Bischoff obtained specimens at Sitka and Kadiak, and Dali found it rare on 
the Yukon. 
Mr. Kennicott saw it breeding at Fort Yukon, May 29. He noticed the male on 
two occasions perched on the top of a small spruce near its nest, and when startled 
it flew to other trees, instead of alighting on the ground. It uttered at slight inter- 
vals a series of notes a little in the style of the small Virginia Rail, but on a higher 
key, like kak-kak-kak, and not so rapidly as the Rail. The nest was on a small, nearly 
naked tussock, surrounded by Avater, on the edge of a narrow marsh, in the Avoods, 
thickly interspersed Avitli large avUIoavs. On the land, within a few yards of the 
nest, was a large thick growth of spruce. The nest Avas a simple depression, rather 
deeper than that of Totanus flavvpes , lined with a little dry grass, and containing 
three eggs ; a fourth Avas taken from the ovaries of the female. 
Captain Bendire mentions the Snipe as present and breeding in Southeastern 
Oregon, but as not being common there. He met Avitli one on the loth of February, 
and also noticed a pair in June, 1876, which Avere undoubtedly nesting in the marsh 
from which he started them. Mr. Aiken speaks of it as common in Colorado during 
the migrations, a feAv remaining during the winter. In Northeastern Illinois, near 
Lake Michigan, Mr. Nelson found it a not very rare summer resident, arriving about 
the 1st of April, nearly all ha\ r ing passed on by the 1st of May. He has found 
several pairs evidently breeding in the marshes near Waukegan. 
