THE WOODCOCK 
SCOLOPAX RUSTICULA 
LocaL names in surrounding counties : 
Status IN British AvirAunA: A local resident but 
most abundant during winter and the two seasons of 
migration. 
RapiAL DistTrRIBUTION WITHIN FIFTEEN MILES OF ST. 
Paut’s : The Woodcock was once much commoner within 
the Metropolitan area than it is now, and there are many 
places covered with streets and houses where it formerly 
had its haunts. Indeed, some of the present day parks 
were once famous retreats of the Woodcock. It is said 
occasionally to breed in the Windsor district, just beyond 
our limits. It has been known to do so in Epping Forest, 
and there are many quiet woodlands in the remoter 
suburbs where it might do so and be quite overlooked. 
I know of no locality, however, within the radius where 
the bird habitually nests. It is, therefore, as a winter 
visitor only that we can include the Woodcock amongst 
London’s birds. It is found occasionally on the large 
suburban commons, Wimbledon, ‘Tooting, Streatham, 
Wormwood Scrubbs, Hampstead, andso forth. Wembley 
Park was once a noted haunt of this species, and it still 
visits the Harrow and Kingsbury districts. Epping and 
Wanstead are other winter resorts; whilst many others 
are scattered about the Kentish and Surrey areas. It is 
rather erratic in its appearance, more numerous some 
years than others, and, I may add, has several times been 
killed in the streets of the Metropolis. 
As a rule the only time the Woodcock is seen is when it 
is flushed. It is one of our most skulking birds, and as it 
is for the most part active at night its movements are very 
difficult to observe. Great numbers of Woodcock pass 
our islands in spring, and still greater numbers in autumn, 
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