UPLAND SHOOTING. 
91 
tei a long, clear, but feeble peep, not louder than that of a 
mo\xse. They are far inferior to young partridges, in running 
and skulking, and, should the female be unfortunately killed, 
may be easily taken on the spot.”— Wilson’s Am. Ornithology. 
COMMON SNIPE. 
Scolopax Wilsonii .— The English Snipe. 
“Male 10J.17. 
“ Distributed throughout the country. Breeds from Vir¬ 
ginia northward. Exceedingly abundant in the Southern and 
Western districts during winter. 
“ Adult male. 
“ Bill twice as long as the head, subulate, straight, depressed 
toward the end, compressed for more than half its length. 
Upper mandible with the dorsal line straight; the ridge, for a 
short space at the base, flattish, then convex; towards the 
end flattened ; the sides with a narrow groove extending to 
near the tip, which is obtuse and probe-like ; the edges soft 
and obtuse. Nostrils basal, linear, very small. Lower man¬ 
dible with the angle extremely narrow and long, the sides 
nearly erect, with a groove having several bars across it; the 
end of both mandibles covered, after death, with numerous 
prominences, or rather with reticular depressions, leaving small 
prominences between them. 
“ Head rather small, oblong, narrowed anteriorly, the fore¬ 
head elevated and rounded. Neck rather short. Body rather 
full. Legs of moderate length, slender; tibia bare below, 
6cutellate before and behind; tarsus with numerous scutella 
before, smaller ones behind, and reticulated sides ; toes very 
slender, free, scutellate above, narrow and slightly margined 
beneath; first very small, third longer than the tarsus; fourth 
much shorter, but considerably longer than the second. Claws 
slightly arched, extremely compressed, very acute, that of the 
third toe longest. 
“ Plumage very soft, rather full, blended; on the forepart 
