42 OUR MIGRANT BIRDS 



greyish brown. Cere and legs yellow. Length 20 in. 

 Female, rather larger and browner. Young, rather paler ; 

 immature plumage rather variable. 



Language. — A shrill " kee-kee-kee " ; rather silent. 



Habits. — It is chiefly an insectivorous bird, and the 

 scale-like feathers of the lores are practically impervious 

 to an insect's sting— an admirable provision. It runs 

 more freely than other birds of this family. Flight 

 heavy. In disposition it is sedentary and spiritless. 



Food. — Chiefly wasps and bees, both in the larval 

 or perfect state ; also other kinds of insects, small 

 mammals and birds, reptiles, eggs and worms. 



Nest. — May or June. One brood. 

 Site. — Usually in some tall tree ; sometimes on a ledge 

 of a cliff. 



Materials. — Sticks and twigs, lined with green leaves. 



Eggs. — Two or three. Creamy white, blotched and 

 marked with rich ruddy brown. Variable. 



WOODCOCK {Scolopax rusticula). 



Most abundant in autumn and winter. A consider- 

 able number breed in suitable localities in most counties 

 but nowhere commonly. 



Haunts. — Woods, preferably those in the vicinity of 

 damp places. 



Plumage. — Upper parts rich reddish brown, beauti- 

 fully mottled, barred, and vermiculated with black. 

 Under parts fawn-brown, delicately barred with dark 

 brown. Bill long and tapering, light brown, darker 

 at tip. Legs and feet yellowish brown. Length 14I in. 

 Female similar. Young, more barred on rump and 



