Though many of these breed and remain with us all the year, still we receive great additions annually from elsewhere, and generally towards the end of autumn; but neither during summer nor winter are they so plentiful as they were. Drainage is said to be the cause of their comparative scarcity.
Scolopax grisea [The Brown Snipe].
Some specimens of this bird have been met with near Banff, but it is rarely seen.
Scolopax gallinula [Jack Snipe].
A winter visitor only, so far as I am aware,—and by no means so numerous as the preceding. The jack snipe would appear to be a solitary animal; at least I have never seen more than two of them together (of course in winter), but more commonly only one; in fact, they are nearly always seen single. Unlike the others, however, I have seen them return to the same spot three times, after being as often fired at.
Tringa subarquata [Curlew Sandpiper].
I have only met with one specimen of which I can speak with certainty.
Tringa canutus [Knot].
A few generally visit us every autumn on their southward passage. They are remarkably easy of approach.
Tringa minuta [Little Stint].