80 
BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
The sensibility possessed by the extremity of the bill, as in the snipe, 
is of such an exquisite nature that they are enabled to collect their food 
by the mere touch, without using- their eyes,* which are set at such a 
distance and elevation in the back part of the head as to give the bird a 
remarkable aspect of stupidity.” 
Although this species is very generally dispersed throughout the state, 
it appears, from reports received through different sources, that some 
of the principal localities visited by sportsmen are in the swampy dis¬ 
tricts of Wayne, Bradford, Susquehanna, Cumberland, Crawford and 
Erie counties; also in Clarion and Yenango at different points on the 
Allegheny Yalley railroad, and good woodcock shooting is said to be 
found, in July and August, at the “ Black Swamp,” in Montour county, 
near Danville, on the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western railroad. 
The food-materials of nine woodcock examined by the writer are 
given below : 
No. 
Date. 
Locality. 
Food-Materials. 
1 
May 10, 1879 . 
Willistown, Pa... 
Small fragments of ‘ ‘ worms.’’* 
2 
May 10, 1879. 
Willistown. Pa.. 
Small fragments of * ‘ worms. ”* 
3 
May 10. 1879. 
Willistown, Pa. 
Small fragments of * ‘ worms. ”* 
4 
May 10. 1879. 
Willistown, Pa. 
Small fragments of ‘ ‘ worms.”* 
5 
May 10, 1879 . 
Willistown, Pa... 
Chester county, Pa., .... 
Earth-worms and fragments of beetle, t 
6 
July 20, 1882 . 
Spider and unrecognizable insects. 
Insects and larvae. ' 
7 
Aug. 3, 1884, . .. 
Delaware county. Pa., . . . 
8 
Oct. 20, 1882 . 
Schuylkill county, Pa. 
Beetles and earth-worms. 
9 
Nov. 8, 1880 . 
Delaware,. 
Small seeds. 
* All young birds. t Parent of above. 
Genus GALLINAGO Leach. 
Gallinago delicata (Ord.). 
Wilson’s Snipe ; English Snipe; Jack-snipe. 
Description ( Plate 9). 
The body is more slender and head and neck smaller than in Philohela. About a 
quarter of an inch on lower part of tibiae naked; ears under eyes; the three first 
primaries are longest, and the rather long wing is more pointed than that of a wood¬ 
cock ; bill (three specimens measured) about two and one-half inches long, not very 
stout at base, and straight; both mandibles 4 have grooves on sides, extending from 
base to near the end ; in life the bill is vascular, sensitive, and soft toward the end 
where it widens; in dried specimens about one inch of the bill toward end is 
pitted ; short, rounded tail-feathers with transverse bars; toes long and slender 
without basal webs or marginal membranes ; sexes similar. 
Adult. —Length about 11 inches ; extent about 18 inches ; female a little smaller ; 
bill (dried skin) brownish; legs blackish-brown; iris brown; top of head blackish, 
.Tb© eyes, being situated higli up and far back in both tbe snipe and woodcock (well shown in plate No 
9. flg. 1), is a wise provision of nature, as these birds, by this peculiarity, escape many of their enemies! 
It can easily be understood by this arrangement that the field of vision is greatly increased. Obtaining 
their sustenance, as they do, chiefly by probing with their long bills, so amply supplied with nerves, they 
have comparatively little use for their eyes when feeding, unless It is to keep a watch for their numerous 
foes. — Warren. 
