36 
HISTORY OF 
RED-BREASTED SNIPE. 
Macroramphus Griseus. Leach. 
The celebrated author of the “ Ornithological Dictionary,” 
was, we believe, the first who was fortunate enough to obtain 
a British killed specimen of the bird before us. It is now 
in the British Museum. In Mr. Gould’s “ European Birds,” 
an instance of its capture is mentioned as having occurred 
near Yarmouth. 
The Red-breasted Snipe appears to form a connecting link 
between the true Snipes of the genus Scolopax, and the Sand- 
pipers of the genus Tringa, having the bill of the former, and 
resembling the latter in having slightly membrinated toes, as 
well as in the periodical changes of its plumage. 
Wilson informs us, that it arrives in New Jersey in the 
beginning of April, and is seldom or never seen inland. Early 
in May it proceeds to the north to breed, and returns by the 
latter part of July or beginning of August. They sometimes 
