214 OUR RARER BIRDS 



feathered friends on marsh and mudflat, when the Woodcock 

 has made its appearance. Woodcocks migrate by night, and 

 usually at a great height in the sky, dropping suddenly down 

 when they reach the ground, so that they are rarely taken in 

 the flight-nets. Over night not a bird is to be found ; but by 

 the first streak of dawn, should you chance to wander along 

 by the sea. Woodcocks may keep springing up from your 

 feet — tired-out birds, glad to nestle among the long grass and 

 in the bottoms of the hedges, to recruit their failing strength 

 ere passing on to more suitable haunts. The birds rarely stay 

 more than a day here — the next night they are off to the 

 woods and the marshy hollows in the plantations and quiet 

 corners of the fields, which they frequent for the remainder 

 of the season. Nut-brown October is the Woodcock's favourite 

 month for migration — a month that paints the vegetation of 

 wood and field and copse in tints every bit as brown and 

 as beautiful as the bird's own charming dress. The Wood- 

 cock loves to hide himself amongst the crumpled dark brown 

 leaves, where his plumage is in strict harmony with sur- 

 rounding tints, and shields him effectually from the prying 

 eyes of his enemies. 



At all times the Woodcock is a shy skulking bird, remain- 

 ing close in his retreat until flushed, when he rises suddenly, 

 often uttering a harsh guttural croak, and flies off in singular 

 erratic course through the trees. It is rather surprising how 

 cleverly the bird manages to thread his way through the net- 

 work of fine' branches and past the numerous tree-trunks. 

 He does not fly far as a rule, and drops into the first suitable 

 cover he can find, alighting suddenly, and usually crouching 

 close the moment he touches the ground. His flight is quick 

 but somewhat laboured, because his body is so plump and 

 heavy, and he carries his long bill and head bent downwards. 

 The Woodcock's activity begins with the twilight. His large 

 prominent eye denotes him to be a night feeder, and as the 



