596 



SCOLOPACID.E. 



four hours after the Woodcock Avas shot, and hearing the 

 particulars ; but the bird had been dressed. 



"Mr. Roger Wilbraham, a great sportsman, living at SwafF- 

 ham, not believing the account, summoned the carpenter 

 many years afterwards, who confirmed all the circumstances. 



" The Earl of Leicester also told me, that he, in company 

 with Mr. Ralph Button, when they were young men, fol- 

 lowed a gigantic-looking Woodcock for some hours, near 

 Holkham, but could not get near him. 



"A Woodcock shot at Audley End about seven years ago, 

 weighed full sixteen ounces, and was much the largest-look- 

 ing bird, as well as the heaviest, I ever saw." 



A note in the last edition of Pennant''s British Zoology 

 is as follows : "I have been credibly informed that one was 

 killed near Holywell, which reached the weight of twenty 

 ounces ; " and in DaniePs Rural Sports there is a record of 

 one which weighed seventeen ounces. 



Varieties in plumage are not uncommon, generally of a 

 dull yellowish white. 



