THE WOODCOCK. 



217 



the operation of plunging and drawing back so fast that you can hardly 

 keep count. 



When he sees you he stops, draws his bill into his breast, and squats 

 upon the ground, and becomes quite motionless. Indeed, you can hardly 

 distinguish him from the ferns and withered leaves around him. 



\ '!'('hMi^ 









THE WOODCOCK. 



The woodcocks begin to make their nest very early in the }-ear. At one 

 time it was supposed that they did not remain in England after the end of 

 the winter ; but latterly many of them have done so, and reared their young. 

 The reason is supposed to be because of the increase of fir and pine planta- 

 tions in many parts of Scotland. 



