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 shell fish, or insects which they get usually by probing in the soft mud. 227. EUROPEAN WOODCOCK. _Scolopax rusticola_. This European bird is similar to the American Woodcock, but is larger and is barred beneath. Their habits are the same as those of our species. 228. WOODCOCK. _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. [Illustration 142: Buffy gray.] [Illustration: American Woodcock. Wilson's Snipe.] [Illustration: deco.] [Illustration: left hand margin.] Page 141 [Illustration 143: C. A. Reed. WOODCOCK ON HER NEST.] Page 142 [Illustration 144: WOODCOCK.] Page 143 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 Woodcock (11 inches long). This species, to a great extent frequents the same haunts used by Woodcock, but is especially fond of open marshy meadows, with winding brooks. Their nests are depressions in grassy 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 grass, the four eggs having their points together. Collector, Walter Raine. 230.1. GREATER SNIPE. _Gallinago media_. A European species, only American as having accidentally occurred at Hudson Bay; similar in appearance to the preceding species. [Illustration 145: Olive gray.] [Illustration: NEST AND EGGS OF WOODCOCK.] [Illustration: right hand margin.] Page 144 231. DOWITCHER. _Macrorhamphus griseus_. Range.--North America, most abundant in the eastern parts; breeds in the extreme north, and winters from the Gulf States to Northern South America.