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176 BIRD GALLERY, 
No. 106. WOODCOCK. (Scolopax rusticula.) 
Though generally known as a migrant, which arrives in October and 
returns northwards in March, many Woodcocks remain to breed 
throughout the British Islands. The food consists chiefly of insects 
and worms, especially the latter, of which enormous numbers are eaten. 
A rounded depression in the ground, lined with withered grass and 
dead leaves, serves as a nest and is situated in some sheltered spot. 
The four eggs are creamy-buff, blotched and spotted with grey and 
reddish-brown. 
The Woodeock has often been observed on the wing carrying its 
young; the nestling is held close to the breast with the aid of the legs 
and bill. 
The four young birds, which were on the point of hatching, were 
extracted from the eggs exhibited in the case. 
Inverness-shire, June. 
Presented by Lord Lovat. 
* 
No. 107. BLACK-TAILED GODWIT. (Limosa limosa.) 
This species used to breed in the fens of Lincolnshire and Cambridge- 
shire, and eggs have been taken in Norfolk as recently as 1847. It 
has now ceased to nest in England, and is only observed on the spring 
and autumn migrations and occasionally in winter. The nest, a slightly 
lined hollow amongst coarse herbage, contains four eggs of a pale olive- 
green colour, spotted with brown. 
Zurope, June. 
Presented by J. Stares § E. V. Earle, Esqrs. 
No. 108. SNIPE. (Gallinago gallinago.) 
A common species in all marshy localities throughout the British 
Islands, especially in Scotland and Ireland, but most numerous during 
the colder months of the year, when immense “ flights ” arrive from the 
Continent and often remain till March. In frosty weather it frequently 
shifts its quarters in search of open ground, where insects, worms, and 
molluses may still be obtained. The nest, a mere depression in the 
ground, slightly lined with dead grass, is generally situated amongst 
rushes, grass, or heather. ‘The eggs, usually four in number, are 
commonly greenish-buff, obliquely spotted and blotched, especially at 
the larger end, with dark brown, pale brown, and grey. 
Norfolk, May. 
Presented by Lord Walsingham. 
