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THE JACK SNIPE. 
Scolopax gallinula, Linn-bus. 
PLATE XII. 
Scolopax gallinula, Linn. — Becassme sourdc, Temm. — Tile 
Jack Snipe or Judcock of British authors. 
This beautiful little Snipe is generally dispersed 
over the British Islands, upon the whole less nume- 
rously than the common species, at the same time 
always to he met with during winter, and at times 
in considerable numbers. It is a winter visitant, 
arriving among the most early, and returning, as it 
were, year after year, to its favourite and accustomed 
haunts. It is also one of the last to leave us, 
always remaining until the month of March, and, at 
this period, when the nuptial dress has commenced 
to be put on, and has reached a certain degree of 
maturity, the glossy green and purple of the dark 
parts of the back, contrasting with clear ochreous- 
yellow, exceeds in beauty the plumage of any of 
our Snipes, or, indeed, of any foreign species we 
are acquainted with. 
The Jack Snipe is a solitary species during its 
stay with us, being met with singly, or with a single 
companion ; at the same time, in some sheltered or 
favourite locality, five or six may frequently be 
