Scolopax Gallinago, LINNÆUS; La Bécassine, BUFFON; Die
Heerschnepfe, BECHSTEIN.
This Snipe is nearly the size of the quail, and inhabits the northern
countries of Europe, Asia, and America, migrating in autumn to more
temperate parts. Its rough beak is black in the front; its feet are
brown; the head is divided longitudinally by two reddish brown lines;
the back is dark brown, with streaks across; the throat is white; the
neck is brown, speckled with brick red; the belly is white; the vent is
striped with black; the quill-feathers are dark brown, tipped with
white; the tail-feathers are black from the base, tipped with orange,
and having two dark brown streaks.
OBSERVATIONS.--The snipe darts through the air at a great height, and
descends like an arrow, continually uttering the cry "_maicherai_."
It is found in marshy places, abounding with bushes and brambles; in
a hole in the ground, washed by the water, it lays four or five dusky
olive-coloured eggs, streaked with brown. Its common food is worms,
and the grubs of insects, but it will eat corn, and the tender roots
of marsh plants. Every one knows that it is delicate eating; but many
are ignorant that it may be tamed, and that it is then a very
pleasing bird.