WOODCOCK. 



303 



stance where the bird, after the nest had been dis- 

 covered, undoubtedly removed the eggs to prevent 

 them from being interfered with. The Dunlin can 

 be easily kept caged, for it is not a shy bird, but it 

 is difficult to obtain suitable food for it. Worms 

 chopped up in bread and milk are recommended for 

 it, and always a plentiful supply of clean water. 



WOODCOCK. 



SCOLOPAX RUSTICOLA. 



Family Charadrhd^. Genus Scolopax. 



The Woodcock is principally known to us as a 

 winter visitor, but it also breeds sparingly throughout 

 the British Isles. We are probably more familiar 

 with it on the table — for its flesh is a delicacy — than 

 we are with it on the wing, for it is essentially a 

 night bird, seeking its food after sunset, and lying hid 

 throughout the day in the long grass on the outskirts 



