SCOLOPAX RUSTICOLA. 177 
This Snipe is usually very tame^ and, lying closely, shows 
the external white feathers of the tail very much when rising; 
and it generally alights again within a short distance, never 
uttering any sound. It is easily distinguishable from the 
Common Snipe by its larger size, the underparts, breast, 
and belly being entirely barred ; and, furthei*, the tail consists 
of sixteen feathers. 
• Like the Jacksnipe, this species should stand, in my opinion, 
in a different genus from the Common Snipe. 
247. ScoLOPAX RUSTICOLA, Linn. The Woodcock. 
Moorish. Himar el hedjel (The donkey of the Partridge). 
Andalucian. Gallineta. Spanish. Chocha. 
The Woodcock, according to Favier, is '^not abundant 
around Tangier, arriving during November and departing in 
March.'' 
Uncertain, both in numbers and as to time of arrival near 
Gibraltar, in some seasons Woodcocks are tolerably plentiful, 
as in 1873 ; in others, as in the winter of 1871-72, they are 
very scarce. Five or six couple in the day for two guns is a 
very fair bag ; but I knew an instance of a Spanish cazador 
bagging twenty-one in a day near Algeciraz ; any way those 
who wish for good Woodcock-shooting had better not try 
either Andalucia or Morocco, but go to the east of the Medi- 
terranean. 
My earliest note of the arrival of a Woodcock about Gib- 
raltar was on the 17th of October, but very few arrive until 
the middle of November. The latest noticed was on the 8th 
of March; but I have seen them in Seville market on the 22nd 
of that month. I obtained near that city a fine white variety, 
which is now in the Norwich Museum. 
I do not like to give second-hand information ; but the post- 
master at San lloque, Mr. Macrae, an official well known to 
those who'' have passed any time at Gibraltar, and upon whose 
veracity and knowledge of the bird I can depend, told me that 
once, and only once, he saw at break of day a regular flight, 
or what the Spaniards would call a " band " of Woodcocks 
passing south. He described them as being about twenty or 
N 
