Forest," "breeds to a considerable extent in most parts of the forest,
and also in other woods of Morayshire, the Aird of Inverness, and on the
Dee, the Don, the Spey, and other parts of the Highlands, but within our
knowledge nowhere so numerously as in Tarnaway. Without any search, and
merely on the accidental occasions of roe-hunting, we have found in one
season nineteen nests with eggs. It would, however, be more proper to
say _beds_ than _nests_; for, like those of the Plover, they are merely
slight hollows formed by the nestling of the birds in dry soft spots,
or on the fallen leaves. As the nests are on dry ground, the old ones
will sometimes carry their young in their claws to the nearest spring or
green strip. Several times when the hounds, in beating the ground, have
come upon a brood, we have seen the old bird rise with a young one in her
claws, and carry it fifty or one hundred yards away, and, if followed to
the place where she alighted, she has repeated the transaction until too
much harassed. One morning, while sitting on a grey stone, I saw a dark
eye which was fixed upon mine from the bed of dead leaves before me, when
suddenly the little brown head of a young Woodcock peeped out from the
feathers of the old one's breast, uttering that plaintive cry for which
language has no sign. There were two more young Woodcocks, and to relieve
the anxiety of the _madre_, I left her. Near the place where I found her
there was a soft green strip such as Woodcocks love. I had no doubt that
the family would be there next day, and as I passed I turned aside to
see what they were doing. Upon a dry bank, half down the brae, I almost
stumbled over a bird which rose at my feet, and as it started through the
trees I saw that it had something in its claws, and at the same time I
heard the plaintive cry of little Woodcocks just under my feet. I looked
down, there were two, and I thought a Hawk had carried off the third, and
perhaps killed the mother. This, however, I found, on following the bird,
was the old Woodcock, which, being flushed again suddenly, after a low
flight of only a few yards, dropped what she was carrying--her own young
Woodcock. I gave her a little time to find him, which was not difficult,
as he called to her as loud as his tiny bill could pipe. In a few moments
I ran forward, and she rose with him in her feet, her long legs dangling
and swinging with her little burden like a parachute. I left her to pursue
her flight in peace, and went on my way, but I have no doubt she went back
for the other two, for several times afterwards I saw them all together
in the soft green glade." The three or four eggs laid by the female are
large, broad, and short in shape, with a smooth, lustreless, light reddish
yellow shell, very variously marked with different shades of red and
brown. The mother alone broods and hatches her little family in about
seventeen or eighteen days. If disturbed whilst sitting, she allows the
intruder to approach quite close before quitting her charge, and after
flying to a short distance almost immediately returns; even should she be
deprived of an egg she still continues to brood. Whilst thus engaged the
female receives little or no attention from her mate, but the young are
no sooner hatched than the male at once undertakes his share of parental
duties, and exhibits equally with the mother a most touching anxiety and
devotion in their behalf. Should an enemy intrude upon them, the old
birds employ every effort to attract attention to themselves, while the
young immediately crouch beneath the long grass or moss, in which they
can rarely be discovered without the aid of a dog. When three weeks old
the fledglings begin to use their wings, but are capable of seeking food
before they can fly. Until lately it has been supposed that Woodcocks lay
but once in the year, or at most only produce a second supply of eggs if
the first has been stolen or destroyed. Recent observations, however, tend
to prove this idea to be erroneous. Hoffmann, in particular, after long
and careful investigation, is of opinion that in favourable seasons each
pair of these birds rears two broods.
* * * * *
The MARSH SNIPES (_Gallinago_) are characterised by their comparatively
long, flat beak, moderately long, bare foot, and long, thin toes, which
are entirely unconnected; the wing is much incised, and the short tail
composed of from fourteen to twenty-six feathers.
THE COMMON SNIPE.
The COMMON SNIPE, or BECASSINE (_Gallinago scolopacinus_), has the upper
portion of the body brownish black, and is decorated with a broad, rusty
yellow stripe upon the centre of the head, and four long lines of the same
colour on the back and shoulders; the under side is white, the fore part
of the throat grey, while the upper parts of the breast and sides are
spotted with brown. The tail is formed of fourteen feathers. The eye is
dark brown, the beak black, and the foot deep grey. This species is eleven
inches long and seventeen broad, the wing measures five inches, and the
tail two inches and a quarter.
The Common Snipe is met with principally in the north of Europe and
Asia, but also probably breeds in the southern portions of the former
continent and in North Africa; in some parts of Europe it is extremely
common, and in England and Scotland breeds not only in the northern
counties, but along the whole southern coast. Large flocks also come
to the British Isles from Scandinavia during the winter, and leave
again about the month of April. Recent observations have proved that
the species of Marsh Snipes met with in North America are not identical
with the _Gallinago scotopacinus_. During the course of its migrations
the Common Snipe wanders over all lands between forty-five and thirteen
degrees north latitude; they appear in India at the beginning of October
in numerous flocks, and at certain seasons occupy the shores of the Nile
and Ganges with great regularity. This species frequents marshy grounds,
moist rush-covered localities, or wet meadows, and usually avoids the
extremes of heat and cold by keeping to the moors in summer and seeking
the shelter of the valleys during the winter. In severe frosts, or storms
of snow, it takes refuge near springing rills or the immediate vicinity
of flowing streams. Insects, worms, or slugs afford its principal means
of subsistence; and for these it searches by probing the moist ground
with its long bill. Although frequently associated in flocks during their
migrations, these birds always exhibit the same unsocial disposition,
each individual pursuing its own course, or seeking its provender in
entire disregard of its companions. As with the Woodcock, this species
goes in quest of food principally after twilight; but, unlike that bird,
is also active during the day, and at most reposes for a few hours at
noon. Upon the ground the Common Snipe moves leisurely but easily, keeping
the head erect; its flight is rapid, and usually takes a zigzag course
immediately after the bird has risen into the air. Generally when about
to fly it suddenly takes an upward direction; and after rapidly pursuing
an undulating path, returns almost immediately to the spot from whence it
started; and then, drawing in its wings, falls obliquely to the ground.
If alarmed, it frequently springs high, and takes flight beyond reach of
the gun, turning nimbly, in a zigzag direction, for 200 or 300 paces, and
sometimes soaring out of sight. This Snipe swims well, and occasionally
takes to the water when not compelled to do so; if hotly pursued by a
bird of prey or other enemy, it sometimes endeavours to save itself by
diving. At the commencement of the breeding season, the males indulge
in most arduous endeavours to attract the attention of their desired
mates, whose admiration they essay to excite by soaring rapidly into
the air, describing a variety of evolutions, and then darting earthward
with closed wings. All these active exertions, which often continue for
half an hour at a time, are accompanied by a most strange humming sound,
respecting which naturalists are not yet agreed, some considering it to be
produced by the rapid action of the powerful pinions, while others have
supposed it to be occasioned by the long tail-feathers. Whilst engaged
in these animated manœuvres, the male birds not only so far forget their
usual timidity as to perch freely on the projecting branches of trees,
but entirely lay aside their usual indifferent demeanour towards their
companions, and frequently vent their jealous rivalry in fierce and sharp
encounters. The female forms her loosely-constructed nest of withered
leaves, heath-grass, and a few feathers, in some retired spot, generally
beneath the shelter of the stump of an alder-tree or willow. The eggs,
which are comparatively large, and usually four in number, are lustreless,
and of yellowish or greenish white, spotted with grey and various shades
of brown. The young are hatched by the mother in fifteen or sixteen days,
and when they quit the shell are covered with chequered down; this is
moulted in about eight or ten days, and in a few weeks they are able
to fly. The parents tend their little family with great care, and feed
them until their bills are strong enough to enable them to provide for
themselves. Sir Humphry Davy states that if the young are molested, the
old birds at once commence a loud drumming sound over the head of the
intruder, as though to divert his attention from their beloved charge, and
thus allow the latter time to seek concealment; which they at once do,
hiding themselves completely from view with most admirable instinct.
* * * * *
The MOOR SNIPES (_Philolimnos_) are recognisable by their short high beak,
with narrow culmen and broad tip; their graduated tail, composed of twelve
feathers, and pointed at its centre; their very muscular stomach; and the
brilliant metallic gloss upon the plumage of the back.
THE JACK SNIPE.
The JACK SNIPE (_Philolimnos gallinula_) is only about nine inches long
and fifteen broad; the wing measures four inches, and the tail about one
inch and two-thirds. In this species, the bridles, a stripe below the
cheeks and the head, are brown, with two lines above and below the eyes of
reddish yellow; the blackish blue mantle-feathers have a beautiful green
and purple sheen, and are decorated with four reddish yellow stripes. The
throat, breast, and sides are grey, lined and spotted with brown; the rest
of the body is white. The quills and tail-feathers are pale black; the
latter edged with reddish yellow. The sexes are almost alike in colour;
during the spring the plumage of the female is of a reddish hue upon the
wings, and that of the young less resplendent and glossy.
Russia and Western Siberia may be regarded as the strongholds of this
small bird, which makes its appearance later and departs earlier than the
Common Snipe. It breeds in the northern parts of Europe and Asia, and is
very generally diffused throughout India. In England it is but rarely
seen in the summer, and appears in one particular spot year after year.
The Jack Snipe prefers thick coverts, and compared with those of its kind
already described is usually but seldom seen, although in some localities
it is occasionally tolerably numerous. At the commencement of March, it
generally quits its winter quarters, and returns under cover of the night
to its native haunts. This Snipe is usually found in pairs, and seeks
its food on marshy ground; but at other times conceals itself among the
neighbouring long grass and rushes. If disturbed, it delays taking wing
until the enemy is almost treading upon it, and has actually been caught
when just rising, by having a hat put over it. When flushed, the Jack
Snipe does not utter any note.
* * * * *
The SANDPIPERS (_Tringæ_) are known by their slender body, moderately
long neck, small head, long pointed wings, in which the first quill
exceeds the rest in length, and a moderate tail, either rounded or doubly
incised at its extremity. The beak is either longer than, or as long as,
the head, slender, compressed at the sides, with the culmen near the tip
slightly depressed and enlarged. The slender bare foot is furnished, in
most instances, with four toes; of these the three placed in front are
long and entirely disunited, while the very small and delicate hind toe
is raised too high to reach the ground. The thick compact plumage is
principally a mixture of greyish brown and reddish yellow, but varies
considerably according to the season, and age or sex of the bird; in the
winter it is ashy grey above, white shaded with grey beneath. The colour
of the sexes is nearly alike. Sandpipers are met with in all portions of
the globe, but principally frequent its northern parts. Marine marshes on
the sea-shore, or the borders of lakes and rivers, are the situations they
prefer, visiting the temperate climates during the winter, and returning
to the colder latitudes to spend the summer months. Their migrations take
place in large parties, which fly by night or early in the morning. During
the recess of the tide, they may be seen upon the sea-shore, seeking their
food from the refuse of the ocean, or quietly and intently probing the
sands in search of worms and shell-fish, and sometimes retreating rapidly
before the advancing surge, and profiting by what the wave leaves on
its retreat. In all their movements they display great activity, either
when running rapidly and lightly on the fore part of their toes over the
surface of the moist sand, when swimming in the water, or when winging
their way with a varied, graceful, and rapid flight through the air. The
voice of these birds is clear, piping, and resonant. All the various
species are social and peaceful in their habits, and it is probable that
the encounters in which they indulge at certain seasons of the year are as
much in sport as in rivalry. The food of the Sandpiper consists of worms,
small molluscs, insects, larvæ, and similar fare, but occasionally of
delicate seeds. The four pear-shaped eggs are deposited in a dry hollow on
the ground, which is slightly lined with a few blades of grass. The female
alone broods; the young come forth covered with down, they at once leave
the nest, and grow with great rapidity.
* * * * *
The CURLEW SANDPIPERS (_Limicola_) have a compact body, short neck, and
small head; the beak is longer than the head, and only soft and flexible
at its tip, which is broad, and curves slightly downward. The low, stout,
bare foot is furnished with four toes. The wings are pointed, and have the
first and second quills of equal length, and longer than the rest; the
tail is short and pointed towards its centre.
THE PIGMY CURLEW SANDPIPER.
The PIGMY CURLEW SANDPIPER (_Limicola pygmæa_) has the crown blackish
brown, decorated with reddish yellow stripes; the mantle-feathers are
black lined with reddish yellow; the upper wing is ash-grey; the feathers
on the lower throat, crop, and sides of the breast are reddish yellow,
spotted with brown and tipped with white; the under side is white. The eye
is brown, the beak reddish grey at its base and black at its extremity,
and the foot dark greenish grey. During the autumn the upper parts of the
body are dark grey, and the feathers have a somewhat mottled appearance,
as their shafts are of a dark and their edges of a light shade. This bird
is six inches long and thirteen broad, the wing measures four inches and
one-third, and the tail one inch and a half.
The Pigmy Curlew is met with principally in the northern parts of Asia
and America, and also, though more rarely, in Europe. In England it has
been known to breed occasionally. Moist river-banks or marshy localities
are the situations it prefers, and from these it obtains the insects,
larvæ, and worms upon which it principally subsists. Unlike the rest of
the family, it does not associate with other birds. The Pigmy Curlew flies
well and rapidly, walks with short interrupted steps, and, if disturbed,
crouches flat to the ground, and allows the enemy to approach quite close
before taking wing. The voice resembles that of the Common Sandpiper.
Keitel tells us that in its habits this species does not differ from the
rest of the family. The eggs found by that gentleman in Lapland were long
and pear-shaped, with a dull olive-yellow shell, marked with greyish brown.
THE SANDERLING.
The SANDERLING (_Calidris arenaria_) has the hinder toe entirely
undeveloped. This small bird is only seven inches long and fifteen broad.
In spring the upper parts of the body are black, or brownish red, spotted
with yellow and white; the blackish brown upper wing is marked with zigzag
rust-red spots, and striped with white. The under side, as far as the
white breast, is reddish grey, the feathers having dark spots on the
shafts and white edges. The five outer tail-feathers are whitish grey,
with white roots; the eyes are deep brown; the beak and the foot deep
grey. During winter the feathers on the upper portions of the body are
light grey tipped with white, darkly spotted on the shafts, and the under
side is pure white.
[Illustration: THE SANDERLING (_Calidris arenaria_).]
This elegant little bird occupies the coasts of all the northern portions
of the globe. During the course of its migrations it visits Southern
Europe, keeping near the shores even while journeying from one country to
another, and but rarely crossing the mainland. This species is met with on
most of the sandy shores of Great Britain and Ireland, and is occasionally
found near large pieces of fresh water; it is not supposed to breed in
this country, but has been seen in January and February, April, June,
August, and October. Like other Sandpipers, it associates in more or less
numerous flocks while in winter quarters, but lives in pairs throughout
the summer. In disposition it is gentler and more confiding than other
members of its family, but closely resembles them in its general habits.
Upon the ground it runs with grace and agility, and exhibits the utmost
dexterity in its beautiful and rapid movements through the air, during
which it frequently joins company with parties of other shore birds. With
so little timidity does the Sanderling regard man, that it is not uncommon
for it to permit his close approach, and even if shot at it often only
moves a few paces from the spot. Naumann mentions that upon one occasion,
after watching the proceedings of five of these birds that were standing
almost close to him in most evident disregard of his presence, the thought
struck him that he would arrange some snares he had in his pocket and
take the whole party prisoners. This he accordingly did, the intended
victims quietly watching his arrangements, and finally walking amongst,
and entangling themselves in the treacherous strings.
* * * * *
The MUD SANDPIPERS (_Pelidna_) are comparatively slender birds, with a
straight or curved beak, of about the length of the head, and slightly
widened at its tip; slender bare feet, furnished with four toes,
moderate-sized wings, and a rounded or doubly incised tail. The plumage is
moulted twice in the year.
THE MUD SANDPIPER.
The MUD SANDPIPER (_Pelidna subarquata_) is about seven inches long and
ten broad. The wing measures five inches, and the tail one inch and
two-thirds. In spring the entire under side is rust-red of various shades;
the feathers on the crown of the head are blackish, with reddish grey
edges; the nape rust-red streaked with white; and the rest of the upper
parts of the body covered with deep black feathers, spotted with light
rust-red, and edged with light grey or rust-yellow. The tail-feathers are
ash-grey, those in the centre being the darkest; all have white shafts and
edges. The eye is brown, the beak black, and the foot blackish brown. In
autumn the feathers on the head and nape are blackish grey, varied with
white and dark edges; those on the back and upper wings are deep blackish
grey with black shafts; and the feathers on the under side whitish grey,
shaded, spotted, and shafted with a deeper tint; the bridles are brown; a
whitish line passes above the eye. In young birds the feathers of the head
are greyish brown with rusty grey edges; those of the back and shoulders
of a blackish shade with reddish yellow edges; the under side and rump are
white, gullet and crop reddish grey. The sexes are almost alike in colour.
These birds are met with in all the northern portions of our globe, and
during the course of their winter migrations appear with great regularity
in North Africa, where they are very common; they also visit the shores
of the Red Sea, Indian Ocean, Atlantic, and the Dead Sea, and have been
seen about the Cape of Good Hope. In Europe they especially resort to
the coasts of France and Holland, where they arrive about the middle of
April, and leave again from the end of July to October; their migrations
are always carried on at night. Flat muddy shores are the localities they
principally frequent, and over these they disport themselves with great
activity, moving lightly about in pursuit of food throughout the entire
day, only pausing to indulge in a short sleep at noon. If disturbed they
at once rise rapidly into the air, and after darting to some little
distance, return immediately to the spot whence they were driven. In
disposition they are social and naturally fearless, but frequently
learn to imitate the timidity exhibited by most of their companions on
the sea-shore. According to our own observations, they are often seen
associated with other birds, and apparently under the guidance of one
of the largest members of the party, whose movements and example they
obey in a manner most amusingly resembling a game at follow-my-leader,
running wherever he runs, and flying where he flies, as though actuated
by one spirit; these gambols usually terminate by all the males uttering
a warning cry, and the whole flock swooping in a compact mass for some
few hundred paces over the water, and then returning to the shore, there
to resume their animated sport. It is improbable that this species breeds
in the southern parts of our globe; such nests as we have found in
northern regions were nothing more than a slight hollow in the ground, and
contained four pear-shaped eggs, having a greenish shell shaded with dark
grey, and spotted with deep brown.
* * * * *
The DWARF SANDPIPERS (_Actodroma_) are small birds, with short
beaks, either quite straight or curving gently towards the tip; the
moderate-sized feet are slender and bare, with the toes almost entirely
unconnected.
THE DWARF SANDPIPER.
The DWARF SANDPIPER (_Actodroma minuta_), the smallest of all the tribe,
is only five inches and a half long and eleven inches and a half broad;
the wing measures three inches and a half, and the tail one inch and a
half. During spring the feathers on the crown of the head are black, edged
with rust-red, those on the nape grey marked with a darker shade, and
those on the sides of the neck and upper breast light rust-red spotted
with brown; a whitish stripe passes over the eyes, and between the latter
and the beak a dark brown line. The eye is brown, the beak black, and the
foot greenish black. In autumn all the feathers on the upper portions of
the body are deep grey, with brown lines on the shafts; the gullet, sides
of the head, and lower breast are reddish grey, the rest of the under side
is white.
This species principally inhabits the northern portions of the globe,
but during the course of its extensive wanderings is met with at certain
seasons on almost every coast. In England it usually occupies the shores
of the eastern and southern counties. During its migrations, which
are carried on by night and in large flocks, it visits Egypt in vast
numbers, and is frequently to be seen associated with a great variety
of other species. Moist muddy coasts and shores are the situations it
prefers, though it by no means avoids sandy localities. In disposition
the Dwarf Sandpipers are lively and active, graceful and easy in all
their movements. With their own kind they live in the utmost harmony, and
exhibit but little fear towards man; in other respects they resemble the
members of the family already described. It is probable that the Dwarf
Sandpipers breed in the extreme north of Europe, but as yet their nests
have only been found in Greenland and the most northern parts of the
American continent. The four smooth glossy eggs are placed in a slight
depression in the earth, and have a dull, greyish yellow shell, clouded
with grey, and spotted and dotted with brown of various shades at the
broad end.
THE RUFF.