Object Status:
Extant
Accession Date:
By 1799
Primary Source Reference:
Charles Willson Peale, Lecture on Natural History 26. (ca. 1799). Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University Archives, coll. 40. / https://ansp.org/research/library/archives/0000-0099/coll0040/
Additional Source Text:
Charles Willson Peale (1741-1827) wrote, in his 26th Lecture (ca. 1799): "833. Is called the English Snipe, because it has considerable resemblance to a bird of this kind found in Britain during winter. Latham, speaking of the European or common snipe, says 'we scarce know of any bird which is so universally spread over the face of the globe as this species; being mentioned by most voyagers, as well as brought into England from such variety of places. It is seen throughout the old continent from the Artic regions of Sibiria to the Cape of good Hope, at which last place it is pretty common. It also inhabits the Islands of Ceylon and Java. In America it is met with almost without exeption, particularly in South Carolina, where it swarms. I have also seen a specimen which came from Cayenne and [have] been informed that it is likewise at Surinam. I have received it myself from Jamaca, said to be extremely common at the Falkland Islands." (Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University Archives, coll. 40)
Peale continued: "Pennant says, the lines on the headare less distinct in the American bird, [and] that the bird is less [i.e., smaller]. I suppose that Mr. Pennant had seen the smaller, for it is evident that we possess them of two different sizes, as by comparing this pr. No. 834 & 835, which [are] a male & female, with the other [American specimen]; they are smaller. They are all natives here, and not uncommon. Their Eyes like the woodcock are placed far back on the head. The lines in these appear distinct on the head, but whether less so than the European, I have my doubts, and as it is one of the few which is said to be common to both continents, it makes me more anxious to obtain [a specimen of] that of Europe in order to compare them. The stripes on the head are of black & russet white; neck & all the upper parts the same colours speckled or barred, with white belly under parts of the body; the bills 3 Inches long; the tail is russet barred with small black lines. Scolopax galinago Linn. Becasine Buff. pl. enl. 883. [A note in the margin reads: "No. 833 is taken out because 834 & 5 are the same species and only differing by the manner of mounting."] They frequent wet meadows or marshes, are a dainty fare, and much saught for by sportsmen." (ANSP Archives, coll. 40)
Peale wrote, in "A Walk Through the Philad[elphi]a Museum" (1805–1806) (Historical Society of Pennsylvania, coll. 0481): "Here is a snipe which is called the English Snipe, it is said to be found in every quarter of the Globe, under some trifling variety of Plumage & size. The variety which we see here belonging to America is considerable, it is a very large family."
Alexander Wilson (1766-1813) described this species under the name "Snipe / Scolopax gallinago" in American Ornithology vol. 6 (1812: 18, Pl. 47), but did not cite a Peale Museum specimen.
Specimen Type:
Dead/preserved
Current Common Name:
Wilson's Snipe
Current Scientific Name
Scolopacidae | Scolopax delicata
