JA C K SN IPE.
JACK SNIPE.
SCOLOPAX GALLINULA, Linn.
Scolopax gallinula, Linn. S. N. i. p. 244 (1766) ; Naum. viii.
p. 344, xiii. p. 246 ; Macg. iv. p. 380 ; Hewitson, ii.
p. 355.
Gallinago gallinula, Yarr. ed. 4, iii. p. 351 ; Dresser, vii.
p. 653.
Bécassine sourde, French; Kleine Schnepfe, German;
Agachadiza sorda, Gachona chica, Spanish.
To those of my readers who carry the gun, and are
able to indulge in the fascinating sport of Snipeshooting,
a description of the habits of this pretty but
somewhat irritating little wanderer will, I fear, be
superfluous. However, as “ Jack” is a British bird by
right of abundant habitual winter residence in our
Islands, and some of my subscribers are not content
with my pictures without some accompanying notes, I
will state what 1 know in this instance, although I am
well aware that I can adduce nothing that has not
already been repeatedly recorded. It is hardly necessary
to refer to the belief that was prevalent in my boyhood,
not only amongst gamekeepers, but also in the
minds of many of their employers, that this bird was
the male of the Common Snipe, but it certainly is