WOODCOCK AND THE SAFETY OF THEIR YOUNG 51, 



WOODCOCK AND THE SAFETY OF ft; ^ " "^ 



THEIR YOUNG. " "^ ' , 



By William Evans, F.R.S.E., M.B.O.U. X ^ ^ _^ 



In this magazine for the months of October and December 

 last, Sir Herbert Maxwell and Mr Abel Chapman record 

 instances which had recently come under their observation 

 of Woodcock carrying their young. While the subject is 

 one the discussion of which I have no intention of entering 

 upon we are all familiar with it as a periodical topic of 

 correspondence in the newspapers the occasion seems 

 opportune for a statement of my own experiences in 

 connection with the matter. To avoid misunderstanding, let 

 me say at the outset that I am not criticising the above- 

 mentioned records, but merely narrating what I have myself 

 seen. That Woodcock occasionally lift and bear away their 

 young when danger threatens them I do not dispute, but I 

 feel sure " feigning " is a far more common habit, and the 

 occasion of much misapprehension. 



Setting aside some early and now rather hazy incidents, 

 I shall confine myself to observations made in recent years, 

 and regarding which the note-book can be consulted in order 

 to refresh the memory. 



On 22nd April 191 1 I was passing through a wood on 

 Saltoun Estate, East Lothian, when a Woodcock suddenly 

 got up within two or three yards of me. She rose on my left, 

 and as if to attract attention to herself, flew off in front of 

 me, gradually crossing to my right. Her flight, which was 

 only a few feet above the ground, seemed very laboured, and 

 her whole aspect suggested that she was carrying something 

 underneath her body. Her tail was spread out and deflexed, 

 while immediately in front of it she had a distinctly bulky 

 appearance. Her bill was pointing downwards, but not to 

 the extent of being perpendicular, and I thought I could see 

 her toes. When she had proceeded about thirty yards she 

 dropped to the ground, still, however, continuing to flap her 



