SABINB^S SNIPE. 
277 
character^ did appear to have the tarsi in a very slight degree 
stouter than those of the S. gallinago with which it was compared. 
They are much darker in colour than those of the common snipe, 
but not more so than would be exhibited in equally dark-coloured 
varieties of that species. The tarsi and toes of a second specimen 
in Dublin University Museum entirely agree in form and colour 
with those of the individual already noticed, but further, it and 
a third example preserved there, are too imperfect for comparison. 
We must not be led astray by such changes as the taxidermist can 
effect by his manner of setting up birds. Some of the specimens 
of /S'. Sahini that I have seen, had evidently been stuffed to appear 
as like woodcocks as possible in the body, and also in the feathers 
of the tibim being arranged so as almost to reach the tarsal joint. 
If there be not sufficient structural characters to mark 8. Sahini 
as a distinct species, we cannot on those of colour alone admit it 
to that rank. In colour, however, it is peculiar and constant, 
thus differing from the ordinary varieties of woodcocks, snipes, &c., 
that we occasionally see — hardly two individuals of which are 
exactly similar. Every specimen of S. Sahini that has occurred 
was coloured much alike, and was remarkable by ^Mhe total 
absence of white from its plumage, or of any of those lighter 
tints of ferruginous yellow which extend more or less in stripes 
along the head and back of the other European snipes. 
We know nothing positively of any difference in the habits, 
call, &c., of the S. Sahini from those of S. gallinago. On these 
points, the two sportsmen who have favoured us with their re- 
marks on the individuals which they shot, report differently, 
though no doubt both correctly. The one tells us that his bird, 
which rose about the same time as some common snipes, did not 
“ squeak as the latter usually do when sprung, and that after 
being twice fired at, it pitched quite near again, like the jack 
snipe. The other rose in company with a common snipe, and 
uttered a similar cry, but for which it would have escaped, as 
its colour led the sportsman at first sight to believe it to be a 
water-rail. The former one was also, from its dark colom*, sup- 
posed to be a water-rail when it sprang. 
