SCOLOPACIDJE — THE SNIPE FAMILY — GALLINAGO. 
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Sp. Char. Exceedingly similar to G. Wilsoni , the difference in coloration scarcely definable. 
Tail-feathers usually 14 instead of 16, the outer pair with the basal half of the inner web dusky, 
the terminal half pale creamy-rufous, tipped with white, and crossed by two bars of blackish ; 
the outer web whitish, with about four dusky bars. Lining of the wing mostly white. Wing 
averaging shorter (5.00-5.30), and bill longer (culmen 2.80-3.00), than in G. Wilsoni ; tarsi and 
toes also longer (tarsus, 1.25-1.45 ; middle toe, 1,15-1.40). 
By colors alone it is hardly possible to distinguish this species with certainty from G. Wilsoni ; 
the difference in proportions, however, appears quite constant, G. coelestis having the bill decidedly 
longer, as are also the tarsi and toes, while the wings are shorter. 
The difference in the number of tail-feathers appears to be by no means constant (cf. Harting, 
“Hand-book Brit. Birds,” 1872, pp. 143, 144, footnote). 
This species, the Common Snipe of Europe, occurs not unfrequently in Greenland, 
and occasionally in Bermuda. It has not been, so far as known, detected in N orth 
America, though its accidental occurrence may be looked for as quite probable. 
Its rare appearance in Bermuda, though unchallenged, can only be regarded as 
an accident. One was said to have been taken by Major Wedderburn, Dec. 24, 
1847, and a second on the 29th of the same month. In Greenland, on the other 
hand, it was so common that Reinhardt has no doubt that it breeds there. This, 
however, is simply conjectural — no eggs of this species having been obtained in that 
country. 
This species has a pretty general distribution over Europe, appearing in the south- 
ern portions during the wintry months, and going to the more northern countries 
during the season of reproduction. 
In the British Islands it is found more or less abundant throughout the year. A 
limited number continue, during the summer, and breed in all parts, from the southern 
counties of England to the mountains of Scotland, being more numerous in the 
northern districts. In the fall the numbers are greatly increased by migrants 
coming from more northern breeding-places. 
It is a common species throughout Scandinavia, where it is migratory, only appear- 
ing in March, and leaving soon after the close of the breeding-season. Mr. Lloyd, in 
his “Field-Sports of the North of Europe,” states that he found it very numerous in 
the marshes in the vicinity of Gothenburg. Linnaeus, in his “ Tour in Lapland,” states 
that on the 14tli of May, when near Gefle, he heard the note of the Snipe in the 
marshes continually. It breeds in extensive morasses and swamps in the mountain- 
ous districts of Norway and Sweden, as well as in the smaller bogs of the cultivated 
districts. From the northern parts of Scandinavia it migrates south in the middle 
of August ; but in the south of Sweden it lingers until October. 
In the summer this bird extends its migrations to the Faroe Islands, Iceland, and 
Greenland, and is also found at the same season in all the northern portions of Russia 
and Siberia, breeding as far to the south as France, Germany, Holland, Hungary, and 
Illyria. 
In the winter it extends its migrations to Spain, Italy, Sicily, and Malta. This 
bird is said to be abundant in the marshes about Smyrna, and to be also found in 
Lower Egypt. It is mentioned by Messrs. Blakiston and Pryer (“Ibis,” 1878, p. 222) 
as common throughout Japan. The birds referred to by Mr. Swinhoe as G. Wilsoni 
(“Ibis,” 1875, p. 454) were probably of this species, in their autumnal plumage. They 
had been received from Hakodadi. 
In England, the native Snipes are reinforced by the great flights that take place 
from Norway and other northern parts of Europe, arriving in the greatest numbers 
in the beginning of November. They do not remain long in any one situation, but 
vol. i. — 25 
