131 
Mr. H. Seebohm on the Genus Scolopax. 
exactly to the size of a Jack Snipe. In every other respect 
it is a Semi-Woodcock, and occupies an intermediate posi¬ 
tion between the two groups into which they are naturally 
divided. It agrees with one of them in having no traces of 
bars on the outer web of the first primary; and with the other 
in having the centre of the belly uniform in colour. 
This concludes the group of Semi-Woodcocks; all the 
species of which differ from the true Woodcocks and agree 
with the Eastern Palsearctic Snipes in having sixteen or more 
tail-feathers, some of the outer of which are considerably 
attenuated. 
The typical Snipes are connected with the Woodcocks by 
two South-American species which possess characters appa¬ 
rently somewhat intermediate. In their large size; thick 
bills; barred primaries; and pale slightly spotted stone- 
coloured eggs they resemble the Woodcocks ; but in the 
longitudinal marks of the head; in their tibiae bare of 
feathers for some distance above the joint; and in their 
well-developed claw of the hind toe they are typical Snipes. 
Probably the resemblance to the Woodcocks is only acci¬ 
dental; that is to say, one of analogy rather than of affinity; 
though it is quite possible that it may be a case of reversion 
to the characters of a common ancestor. With the excep¬ 
tion of the legs and feet; which resemble those of the typical 
Snipes; they look like giant forms of some species of Semi- 
Woodcock. The two forms only appear to differ in size; and 
are probably only subspecifically distinct. 
13. Scolopax undulata. 
The Cayenne Giant Snipe is only known from the moun¬ 
tains of Guiana; and is somewhat smaller than its next ally. 
14. Scolopax undulata gigantea. 
The Brazilian Giant Snipe has been obtained near the 
course of the Parana and near Buenos Ayres. Its reported 
occurrence in Peru and Cayenne may possibly be correct, 
but the evidence is scarcely conclusive. The two forms 
differ as follows :—- 
