THE BIRD BOOK 
SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, Family SCOLOPACID^E 
Members of this family are long-legged waders, of either large or small size, 
and found either about streams or ponds in the interor or along the coasts. 
They feed upon small shell fish, or insects which they get usually by probing 
in the soft mud. 
American Woodcock. 
Wilson’s Snipe 
227- European Woodcock. 
Scolopax rusticola. 
This European bird is similar to the American 
Woodcock, but is larger and is barred beneath. 
Their habits are the same as those of our species. 
228. Woodcock. Philohela minor. 
Range. — Eastern North America, north to the 
British Provinces, breeding throughout its range. 
This is one of the most eagerly sought game 
birds of the east. Their flight is very rapid and 
erratic, and accompanied by a peculiar whistling 
sound made by the rapid motion of the wings; it 
requires a skillful 
marksman to 
bring them down. 
They frequent 
boggy places es- 
pecially “runs” 
lined with alders, 
where they bore 
in the soft ground 
for worms and 
grubs. Their 
eggs are laid up- 
on the bare Bu ffy gray, 
ground among 
the leaves and sticks; they are of about the color 
of dead leaves, as is also the bird, making it quite 
difficult to discover their nests. They lay three 
or four eggs of a buffy color, with yellowish brown 
spots. Size 1.50 x 1.15. 
[229.] European Snipe. Gallinago gallinago. 
A common species in Europe; of casual or accidental appearance in Green- 
land. The bird does not differ essentially from our Snipe and its habits are 
the same. 
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