202 
SCOLOPACIDii;. 
ill a marsh where birds of the same species were breeding 
abundantly; the dissimilarity of one egg to the other four 
rendering more than probable that the odd one was laid by 
a second female. Any attempt to convey an accurate idea of 
the extraordinary variety of colouring which prevails among 
the eggs of the Common Snipe would be futile. I have seen 
them with the ground colour of almost every shade and mix- 
ture of tint which is known to occur among the eggs of the 
Scolopacidse, from cream colour or light blue to deep brownish 
ochre and olive green or olive brown. The markings also vary 
considerably, the egg sometimes being largely blotched, some- 
times minutely freckled, nor is it by any means unusual 
to meet with specimens having the large ends surrounded 
with long irregular streaks like those upon the eggs of the 
Yellowhammer ; indeed, on looking over Mr Hewitson’s figures 
of the eggs of the Scolopacidse, I cannot observe one, with the 
single exception of the broad-billed Sandpiper, which would not, 
were the size altered, accurately represent a variety of the egg 
of the Common Snipe. Eggs from the same nest nearly always 
resemble one another in colouring ; and among the thousands 
which I have seen uniformity in size and shape prevails. 
In average seasons, hill-bred Snipe will remain near the 
breeding places until the first frost ; but in dry weather, as 
soon as the young are fledged, they accompany their parents 
to the low grounds. In times of drought they will assemble 
in numbers during the night about the few springs which may 
happen to be open. Towards the end of October they visit 
the turnip fields, where indeed they are sometimes so plentiful 
that several may be seen within shot at the same moment ; 
and at that season also I have often found them under the willow 
hedges at Halligarth. When the winter has fairly set in, 
and either frost or snow prevents them from procuring food 
in the usual situations, considerable numbers, sometimes as 
many as a score, will assemble round the open springs or wells 
which supply the houses with water, but the majority betake 
themselves to the shore. In hard weather they will even 
