MACRORHAMPHUS.
Bill like a Snipe's ; ear opening as in Snipe, almost under eye ; tarsus shorter than bill; hind toe present ; web between bases of middle and outer toes well marked, very small between middle and inner toes.
Macrorhamphus griseus griseus (Gmelin). RED BREASTED SNIPE.
o 9 summer. Above dark brown with rufous edges and bars, lower back, rump and upper tail coverts white with brown spots ; tail dark brown barred white ; beneath reddish buff, margins paler, with black spots and bars ; under wing coverts and axillaries white, barred brown. In winter, above grey brown ;
beneath white, flanks barred brown, sides of throat and upper breast brownish grey ; white throat and bicoloured upper tail coverts distinguish it at all ages. Wing 142-150. Tarsus 33-37. Bill 8 9 A North American bird ; occasional in W. Europe, has occurred in British Isles, France and Denmark.