SCOLOPACIDJE — THE SNIPE FAMILY — MACRORHAMPHUS. 
197 
Hab. Nortli America in general, but chiefly the western portions of the continent ; east to the 
Mississippi Valley, north to Alaska, and south to South America and the West Indies. Occasional 
along the Atlantic coast of the United States. 
Char. Adult in summer : Similar to il/. griseus, hut abdomen pale cinnamon, like rest of 
M. griseus scolopaceus, summer plumage. 
lower parts, and without markings, the breast scantily speckled and the sides barred with dusky. 
Winter plumage and young : Distinguishable from the corresponding stages of M. griseus only (?) 
by larger size. 
Wing, 5.40-6.00 (5.74) ; culmen, 2.10-3.00 (2. 72) ; tarsus, 1.35-1.75 (1.58) ; middle toe, .95- 
1.15 (1.01). 
The Red-breasted Snipe appears to be common, at different seasons of the year, in 
nearly all parts of North America, from the Pacific to the Atlantic shores. During 
the winter it is found in our Gulf States, in Mexico, in Central and South America, 
and the West Indies. It breeds, in favorable localities, from lat. 44° N. to the Arc- 
tic Ocean. Occasional specimens have been taken in Bermuda. 
Mr. Salvin mentions the capture of a single specimen of this bird at San Geronimo, 
Guatemala ; and afterward speaks of finding it common on the Pacific coast of that 
region, where it frequented the sand-banks. He used always to see it feeding on the 
open flats, where there was no cover whatever, its habits strongly contrasting hi this 
respect with those of the common Snipe. This bird and the Scolopax rusticola of 
Europe seemed to him to represent two extremes as regards choice of feeding-grounds, 
the true Snipe occupying an intermediate place in their preference for grass and 
seeds. It is found along the whole Pacific coast ; and though it has'not been noticed 
in the more southern portions of California, it has been taken in Chili, and, on the 
eastern side, in Brazil. Mr. Dali met with it at Pastolik and at the mouth of the 
Yukon, where, however, it was not common. Mr. R. Browne mentions it in his list 
of the birds of Vancouver Island. Dr. Cooper, while he had not met with it in 
Southern California, found it common in the middle of that State from September to 
April, frequenting the borders of marshes, ponds, and sand-bars in large flocks, but 
not so common near the sea-coast. He also found it in the interior among the Cor- 
dilleras. Great numbers are brought to the San Francisco market, where they are 
regarded as among the best of the smaller game-birds. 
This Snipe is given by Leotaud as a regular visitant in the Island of Trinidad, 
coming from July to October. It is usually in flocks, and unmixed with other 
Waders, but is occasionally accompanied by the Yellowshanks. It is spoken of as 
keeping principally about the borders of the sea, and also as being frequently found 
in the marshy grounds not distant from the shore. Its flight is not very rapid, and 
in taking to wing it does not make any very decided turnings. Its habits, he remarks, 
are very similar to those of Micropalama himantopus. 
