GREAT SNIPE. 
351 
GRALLA TORES. 
SCO LOP A CIDjE. 
GREAT SNIPE, 
DOUBLE SNIPE. 
SCOLOPAX MAJOR. 
PLATE XCVII. 
The egg figured in the two previous editions of this 
work was sent me by the late Mr. Hoy, with the follow¬ 
ing particulars :— 
“ There is no doubt, that by far the greater number of 
the Great Snipe retire to the swamps of the north to breed; 
still, a considerable number are spread over the fens and 
morasses of Holland, and have hitherto escaped observa¬ 
tion during the time of breeding. It may, however, be 
met with during that season, though not in great num¬ 
bers, in the marshy districts lying between Gouda and 
Gorinchem, and an extensive fenny tract, abounding in 
peat-bogs, in the eastern part of Dutch Brabant. Bor¬ 
dering upon the Dutch side of the river Meuse is another 
locality, over which they are found scattered during the 
breeding-season. The Great Snipe resembles the jack- 
snipe very much in its habits, lying close, and, when dis¬ 
turbed, rarely flying far. It begins to breed early in May. 
The nest is similar to, and placed in the same situation as 
that of, the common species. The eggs are four in number/' 
Mr. Yarrell says, “From Mr. Dann I learn that the 
Great Snipe breeds in considerable numbers in the moun¬ 
tainous parts of Norway and Sweden, as high as the range 
