G R E A T O R S O L IT A R Y S N IP E .
GREAT o e SOLITARY SNIPE.
SCO LOP A X MAJOR, J. F. Gmelin.
Scolopax major, Gmelin, Syst. Nat. i. p. 661 (1788) ; Naum.
viii. p. 291 ; Macg. iv. p. 364; Hewitson, ii. p. 351.
Gallinago major, Yarr. ed. 4, iii. p. 336; Dresser, vii. p. 631.
Grande Becassine, French; Doppel Schnepfe or Grosse
Schnepfe, German; Agachadiza real, Spanish.
Although, of course, the title of “ Great ” is only
locally applicable to this species, I prefer that epithet
to the more common one of “ Solitary,” and consider
that if the latter distinction is bestowed upon any
British Snipe it is the Jack-Snipe that obviously has
the first claim thereunto. I imagine, however, that the
term “ Solitary ” was originally applied to the present
bird either on account of its scarcity in our country
or because it is seldom, if ever, found in “ wisps ” or
flocks as our Common Snipe so frequently is. In
places where the last-named species is abundant the
word “ Double ” is frequently used to distinguish this
species; but this is only a Snipe-shooter s term, and
even less truthfully applicable than “ Solitary.” The
Great Snipe cannot be considered otherwise than as