328 scolopacidj:. 



called to her as loud as bis tiny bill could pipe. lu a few 

 moments I ran forward, and sbe rose witb bim in her feet, 

 ber long legs dangling and swinging witb ber little burden 

 like a paracbute. I left ber to pursue ber fligbt in peace, 

 and went on my way ; but I bave no doubt sbe went back for 

 tbe otber two, for several times afterwards 1 saw tbem all 

 togetber in tbe soft green ' glac' " 



Tbe late Mr. St. Jobn was at one time under tbe belief 

 tbat tbe young bird was carried in tbe feet, and stated so in 

 bis ' Field Notes and Tour in Sutberlandsbire,' ii. p. 164, 

 but experiences at Dunrobin, in 1849, in company witb Mr. 

 Jobn Hancock,* convinced botb tbese observers tbat tbe 

 young bird was clasped between tbe tbigbs and pressed close 

 up to tbe body of tbe parent ; and tbis view was subsequently 

 put fortb in bis 'Natural History and Sport in Moray,' 

 p. 210. An article by Mr. J. E. Harting (Zool. 1879, 

 pp. 433-440), witb an illustration after Wolf of tbe young 

 bird dangling in tbe feet of tbe parent " like a paracbute," 

 revived tbe interest on tbe subject ; and Mr. R. J. Ussber 

 and Mr. R. E. Reeves contributed statements (Zool. 1882, 

 pp. 306, 307), sbowiug tbat, according to tbe personal 

 experience of tbe latter, and tbat of otber observers, tbe 

 Woodcock supported ber young not only witb ber feet, but 

 also icith her hill pressed over the chick against her breast ; 

 confirming tbe assertion of a Rostrever correspondent, tbat a 

 Woodcock " bad a young one pressed between its breast and 

 feet" (Zool. 1879, p. 439). Witbout denying tbe accuracy 

 of former observations, tbe latter position appears to be 

 supported by tbe evidence of tbe larger number of witnesses. 



Tbe Woodcock is a nocturnal bird, seeking its repose by 

 day, remaining quietly bid in tbe dry grassy bottoms of 

 brakes and woods, seldom or never mo^^ug unless disturbed. 

 Sir Humpbry Davy, in bis Salmonia, says, " A laurel, or a 

 bolly busb is a favourite place for tbeir repose : tbe tbick 

 and varnisbed leaves of tbese trees prevent tbe radiation of 

 beat from tbe soil, and tbey are less affected by tbe refriger- 

 ating influence of a clear sky, so tbat tbey afi"ord a warm 



* Nat. Hist. Trans. Northumb. and Durham, vi. p. 104. 



