Part 27 (1/2)

A black and white wader, with extremely long red legs; otherwise a gracefully formed bird. It breeds in large colonies anywhere in its range, making its nests of weeds and sometimes a few twigs, on the ground beside of, or in the marshes. Their eggs number three or four and are brownish or greenish buff with numerous markings of brownish black, these markings being somewhat lengthened and mostly running lengthwise of the sh.e.l.l. They nest during April in the southern parts of their range and through May and June in the northern. Size of eggs 1.80 1.25. Data.--Freshwater Lake, southern California, June 5, 1891. Four eggs laid on a mud flat near the water's edge; no nest. Collector, Evan Davis.

[Ill.u.s.tration 141: Greenish buff.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: American Avocet. Black-necked Stilt.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Greenish buff.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: right hand margin.]

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SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, Family SCOLOPACIDae

Members of this family are long-legged waders, of either large or small size, and found either about streams or ponds in the interior or along the coasts. They feed upon small sh.e.l.l fish, or insects which they get usually by probing in the soft mud.

227. EUROPEAN WOODc.o.c.k. _Scolopax rusticola_.

This European bird is similar to the American Woodc.o.c.k, but is larger and is barred beneath. Their habits are the same as those of our species.

228. WOODc.o.c.k. _Philohela minor_.

Range.--Eastern North America, north to the British Provinces, breeding throughout its range.

This is one of the most eagerly sought game birds of the east. Their flight is very rapid and erratic, and accompanied by a peculiar whistling sound made by the rapid motion of the wings; it requires a skillful marksman to bring them down. They frequent boggy places especially ”runs” lined with alders, where they bore in the soft ground for worms and grubs. Their eggs are laid upon the bare ground among the leaves and sticks; they are of about the color of dead leaves, as is also the bird, making it quite difficult to discover their nests. They lay three or four eggs of a buffy color, with yellowish brown spots.

Size 1.50 1.15.

229. EUROPEAN SNIPE. _Gallinago gallinago_.

A common species in Europe; of casual or accidental appearance in Greenland. The bird does not differ essentially from our Snipe and its habits are the same.

[Ill.u.s.tration 142: Buffy gray.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: American Woodc.o.c.k. Wilson's Snipe.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: deco.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: left hand margin.]

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[Ill.u.s.tration 143: C. A. Reed.

WOODc.o.c.k ON HER NEST.]

Page 142

[Ill.u.s.tration 144: WOODc.o.c.k.]

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WILSON SNIPE. _Gallinago delicata_.

Range.--North America, breeding from northern United States northward; winters along the Gulf States and to California, and southward.

Another favorite game bird, but one which requires skill to hunt successfully. Of about the same size as the Woodc.o.c.k (11 inches long).

This species, to a great extent frequents the same haunts used by Woodc.o.c.k, but is especially fond of open marshy meadows, with winding brooks. Their nests are depressions in gra.s.sy banks, generally unlined; the three or four eggs have an olive gray color and are strongly marked with blackish brown. Size 1.50 1.10. Data.--Lake Winnipegosis, Manitoba, June 10, 1903. Nest in a hollow on a tuft of marsh gra.s.s, the four eggs having their points together. Collector, Walter Raine.