236 
On some of the Scolopacidce of Nepal. 
not usually assemble in flocks 2 .” Their manners, in other respects, are well 
described by Shaw. They usually rise piping, and go off against the wind with a 
rapid zigzag flight ; and to a considerable distance, except in very hot weather, 
or, when their site, for the time being, is surrounded by a country unfitted to 
their abode. When the snipe reaches Nepal in August and September, lie is in full 
feather. About a month after his arrival, or towards the close of September, he 
moults — and again, six weeks before his departure, or in March. The finest 
specimens measure from 10J to 11 inches, never more — with a length of bill, 
varying from to nearly 3 inches. The fullest weights vibrate between 41 and 5 
oz. Shaw says, that the common snipe reaches a length of one toot. May I he 
permitted to doubt this ? since, just before, he has described the great snipe, 
and given it only the same measure of length. Shaw says nothing about the 
snipe’s tail, nor mentions any distinction in that, or other respect, between the 
male and female birds. I know not, therefore, how to account for a peculiarity 
which I have noted— which is, in itself, very marked, and is usually concomitant 
with other less decided diversities. I have noted these points at all seasons, and in 
birds of all sizes. They may serve to discriminate two separate species ; though 
they, probably, refer only to more or less perfectly adult states of one— possibly , 
to the sexes in that one. 
In Nepal, then, at all seasons, from August to May, I have killed many snipe'? 
invariably distinguished by a tail of from 22 to 28 feathers — of which the (>, c, 
or 10 laterals, on either side, are narrow, hard, and acuminated ; and man) 
others, at the same times and places, as invariably possessed of a tail ot from H 10 
16 uniform feathers — the former birds, too, always characterised by shorter bill - 
and internal wing-coverts, much more regularly and beautifully barred, 
drawings, large as life, which accompany this paper, will suffice, after what I h " e 
said, for the complete illustration of these points, which I now leave to more 
competent persons to decide the character of, having wearied myself with vain en^ 
deavours to come at the secret : for, I have been perplexed, not informed, by " 
Shaw says of the internal wing-coverts of the great snipe, and of the media 
common snipe. . , j te 
Of the former, he observes, “ beneath the wings beautifully crossed wit 
and dusky bars,” and of the latter, “ beneath the wings beautifully tessellated Ji^ 
cinereous and whitish,” — descriptions which, as far as they go, not very ^ naCC ^ ^ 
apply to the first and second of my birds, respectively: but neither o 
birds, assuredly, is the great snipe of Shaw, and both of them, in general pl uDJ ®j^ 
answer sufficiently well, to the common snipe’s appearance, as depicted b\ ^ 
writer. Then, again, Shaw’s generic character of the snipe gives “ anterior ^ 
iilluVii j. uviij a^uiuj iuv n u g v iuvi uc uvi v* ^ — x u < 
connected at the base by a membrane,” whereas both these birds, the 
to be presently described, have, all alike, the toes r 
Regretting that I cannot refer to a later or more authoritative 
w f t i e C omm oD 
shall now proceed to describe the appearance, in full plumage, oi u 
snipe of Nepal. The permanent colour of the bill is pale brown, but it is * re 1 
ly overlaid with a greenish yellow tint : legs, dull bluish, most usuall) sup 
„ n : n flock 3 ' 
2 The expression is dubious: if it mean that they do not usually 
like the golden plover, &c. — granted: but if it mean that they do not us UB 
and reside together — that they are not commonly found , in vast numbers, m 
the same spot — I say it is no further true, than as they are scarce in any P‘ 
country or season, from some one or more circumstances of uncongenialit) ' - 
habits and wants. Quails do not fly in flocks or coveys; but they are soc 
gregarious surely ? 
