RED-BREASTED SNIPE. 
English specimen is preserved, small parties even of these birds 
having been seen there at different periods and in their different 
dresses. But these instances are by no means so frequent as 
reported in authors, the Limosa rufa and Triiiga islandica having 
been mistaken for it. A specimen in ambiguous plumage, stray¬ 
ing into Sweden from the marshes of Lapland, (where they may be 
more common) afforded Nilsson the opportunity of contributing 
his part to the confusion, but as he gave a figure, besides 
describing the bird with his characteristic accuracy, it was at 
once detected. Since Temminck, it is only wilful obstinacy or 
gross ignorance that can persist in regarding as species the 
different states of a bird so well marked in its natural genus as 
to deserve a subgenus for itself, and still more on account of 
its habits than its conformation, (notwithstanding Temminck’s 
statements to the contrary,) as will be evident from the following 
generalities on the genus Scolopax. 
This genus, as instituted by Linne, and adopted by authors 
from Latham to Wilson, was, like Tringa, a great receptacle, 
though with the advantage of not containing a single species 
that is not still admitted as of at least the same family. But 
however extensive it may have been, had Linne been consistent 
■ 
in arranging under it all the species that possessed the character 
he assigned to it, he ought to have added to it the greater part of 
his Tringse, many of which took rank unperceived in both genera. 
Cuvier rectified this course, thus forming a vast genus Scolopax, 
more extensive than our whole family of Scolopacidas. His sub¬ 
genus Scolopax corresponds, however, exactly to my genus of that 
name, which I subdivide into three natural subgenera, Rusticola, 
Scolopax, and Macroramphus , which is the present bird. Illiger first 
reduced the genus Scolopax within proper limits, but including, it 
is true, Rhyncheea, since established by Cuvier as a genus. Modern 
ornithologists in general agree with us, except that some, as 
VOL. IV.-0 
