WOODCOCK. 



SCOLOPACID^.] 



SCOLOPAX RUSTICULA, Linn^us. 



Explanation of Plate. 



Figure 1. Wermland, Sweden, May 10, 1892. 

 „ 3. European. 



„ 3. Longtown, Cumberland, April 24, 1892. , ^ „ . „ ,^ 



. „r i. 1 1 * -1 on lorvi ! In collection of H. Massey, Esq. 



„ 4. Westmorland, April 22, 1891. ( j> '± 



„ 5. Teneriffe, April 6, 1892. 



„ 6. Tile Pill, Cumberland, April 4, 1892. 



The Woodcock is a common winter visitor, an increasing number remaining 

 to breed in the British Islands. 



With reference to the Woodcock, Mr. Howard Saunders writes * : — " The annual 

 ' flights ' of this well-known species usually make their appearance in October, a 

 return migration northwards being noticed in March, by which time the birds 

 which intend to breed in our islands have betaken themselves to suitable 

 coverts. Of late years, owing to the increase of plantations — especially of conifers 

 — in the vicinity of cultivated ground, the number of those which remain has 

 been greatly augmented ; nests having been found in all parts of England, and 



probably of Scotland and Ireland, except on some of the barest islands 



" The eggs — often laid early in March, though more frequently in April — 

 are usually 4 in number; they are slightly pyriform, and of a yellowish-white 

 colour, blotched with ash-grey and two shades of reddish-brown : average 

 measurements 1"75 by 1"3 in. The nest is merely a depression in some 

 sheltered place, a lining of dead leaves being added during the progress of 

 incubation. It is notorious that the female often removes her young, although 

 the manner has been much disputed ; the balance of evidence appears to be that 

 the nestling is clasped between the thighs of the old bird and pressed close up to 

 her body, sometimes even to the base of the bill. During the day the Woodcock 

 rests in dry grassy bottoms, or beneath thick bushes — such as holly or laurel, but 



* ' Manual of British Birds,' pp. 553, 554. 



