Title: The geographical distribution of the family Charadriidae, or, The plovers, sandpipers, snipes, and their allies
Identifier: cu31924000181366 (find matches)
Year: 1888 (1880s)
Authors: Seebohm, Henry, 1832-1895
Subjects: Shore birds
Publisher: London : H. Sotheran
Contributing Library: Cornell University Library
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

View Book Page: Book Viewer
About This Book: Catalog Entry
View All Images: All Images From Book
Click here to view book online to see this illustration in context in a browseable online version of this book.

Text Appearing Before Image:
SCOLOPAX. Plates.—Gouldj Birds of Gt. Brit. iv. pi. 78 ; Dresser, Birds of Europe, vii. pi. 541. Habits.—Seebohm, British Birds, iii. p. 237. Eggs.—Seebohm, British Birds, pi. 28. figs. 1, 3. 483 Literature. The Great Snipe is the only species of the genus which combines the two characters Speoilio of predominant colour of four outer tail-feathers on each side pure white, and median wiyig- coverts hroadly tipped with pure white. The geographical distribution of the Great Snipe is a very remarkable one, extending Geographi- in summer from Scandinavia to the valley of the Yenesay, but in winter confined to the ^^^j^ basin of the Mediterranean and the continent of Africa. The Great Snipe is not even known to pass through Turkestan on migration. It breeds in suitable localities throughout the basin of the Baltic, and in Scandinavia as far north as lat. 70°. To the British Islands it is only an accidental wanderer on migration, and has occurred in most parts of the country, including the Orkneys and Shetlands, but it is not known to have visited Iceland or the Faroes. In the valleys of the Petchora and the Obb it ranges up to lat. 67^°; but
Text Appearing After Image:
in the valley of the Yenesay it does not go further north than lat. 66^°. There is no satisfactory evidence that it has ever occurred near Lake Baikal or in the valley of the Amoor. It passes through the Caucasus and North Persia on migration, and winters in suitable localities throughout South Africa, a few remaining in the basin of the Medi- terranean. It crosses the Straits of Gibraltar, though not in great numbers, in spring and autumn; but in Malta it is said only to occur on the spring migration. This geographical distribution is specially interesting as affording one of many other examples of migratory birds which have extended their breeding-range to a considerable distance, but, in consequence of their having continued to follow their ancient " fly-lines," 3 Q 2

Note About Images