498 



BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 



Situation and Locality. On the ground, amongst 

 dead grass, under brackens, ferns, brambles, and 

 sometimes amongst dead leaves at the foot of a 

 tree ; in woods, plantations, coppices, and forests 

 with plenty of the undergrowth just named ; very 

 sparingly in many localities but pretty generally 

 throughout the United Kingdom. I have seen as 

 many as three nests during one morning in North- 

 umberland. 



Materials. Dry grass, fern-fronds, and dead 

 leaves, placed in some natural, dry, and sheltered 

 hollow ; sometimes a suitable declivity is scraped 

 by the bird. 



Eggs. Four, yellowish-white to huffish-brown, 

 blotched with pale chestnut-brown and ash-grey. 

 Size about 1.7 by 1.35 in. (See Plate IX.) 



Time. March, April, and May. 



Remarks. A winter visitor, although numbers 

 stay with us all the year round. Notes : alarm,. 

 skaych, somewhat resembling that of the Snipe. 

 Local or other name : none. Harmonises in 

 appearance wonderfully well with its natural 

 surroundings, and sits very closely indeed. 



NEWLY-HATCHED WOODCOCK IN NEST. 



