WOODCOCK. 281 



sometimes increased whilst incubation is in progress, 

 especially when the nest is in a rather exposed site, 

 as if the bird was anxious to assimilate itself with the 

 tints of surrounding objects as closely as possible. To 

 further these designs the Woodcock is a close sitter, 

 remaining brooding over the nest until flushed, as if 

 conscious that it was unseen and could not easily be 

 detected in a spot where its rich brown dress harmonizes 

 so closely with the ground around it. It is probable 

 that the eggs are covered when the sitting bird leaves 

 the nest voluntarily. 



Range of egg colouration and measurement : 

 The eggs of the Woodcock are four in number, and 

 nothing near so pyriform in shape as is usually the case 

 amongst this family of birds. They vary in ground colour 

 from very pale yellowish-brown to buffish-brown, rather 

 sparingly spotted and blotched with reddish-brown, and 

 with similar underlying markings of gray. They are 

 not subject to any very great range of variation in 

 colour. Average measurement, 17 inch in length, by 

 i'35 inch in breadth. Incubation, performed chiefly by 

 the female, lasts about three weeks. 



Diagnostic characters : The size, form, pale 

 colouration, and smallness of the spots (not blotches), 

 readily distinguish the eggs of the Woodcock from 

 those of any other allied species breeding in our area. 



