88 SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 
8'. Bill not distinctly widened and roughened at tip. 
9. Wing less than 4. Ereunetes, p. 93. 
9'. Wing over 4. 
10. Tarsus equal to middle toe and claw. 
11. Wing under 4.60 .... Actitis, p. 100. 
11'. Wing over 6.50 . . . Heteractitis, p. 98. 
10'. Tarsus longer than middle toe and claw. 
11. Wing with large white patch. 
Symphemia, p. 98. 
11'. Wing without white patch. 
12., Upper tail coverts white . Totanus, p. 96. 
12'. Upper tail coverts dusky. 
Helodromas, p. 97. 
GENUS PHILOHELA. 
228. Philohela minor ( GW. ). American Woodcock. 
Bill long and slender, mandibles grooved and roughened toward end, 
tip of upper overlapping the under ; nostril small at edge of feathers; 
three outer quills abruptly narrowed. 
Upper parts grayish brown, mottled with black; back of head black, 
with narrow cross-bars of buffy ; under parts rich buff, darker on throat. 
Length: 10.50-11.75, wing 4.80-5.70, bill 2.50-2.75, tarsus 1.25. 
Distribution. — Eastern United States north to Canada, west to Rocky 
Mountains in Colorado; breeds throughout its range. 
Nest. — On ground in wooded bottoms, usually by a log or stump, made 
of leaves and grass. Eggs: 3 or 4, grayish to buffy white, spotted with 
reddish brown. 
Dr. A. K. Fisher says : “This much sought game bird is in dan¬ 
ger of extermination from the barbarous custom of hunting it in 
spring and summer, just before and during the breeding season.” 
GENUS G ALLIN AGO. 
230. Gallinago delicata ( Ord ). Wilson Snipe : Jack Snipe. 
Bill long and slender, mandibles grooved, roughened, and widened 
toward end ; tip of upper overreaching the 
lower mandible ; nostril small and at edge 
of feathers. 
Crown buff, with side stripes of black; 
back mainly black with stripes falling into 
two middle lines of buff and two outer lines 
of whitish ; neck and breast spotted and 
streaked with buff, brown, and dusky ; sides 
barred with black and white; belly white. 
Length: 10.50-11.15, wing 4.90-5.60, bill 
2.50-2.70, tarsus 1.20-1.30. 
Distribution. — North America, and south 
in winter to northern South America, breed- 
Fig. 102. ing from Colorado and Utah to north of the 
Arctic Circle. 
Nest. — A grass-lined cavity in marshy ground. Eggs: 3 or 4, grayish 
olive, spotted and streaked with brown and black. 
The plump jack snipe with the striped back is a prober rather 
than a wader, as his short legs and long bill attest. He pokes about 
