THE BOOK OF MIGRATORY BIRDS 2OI 



foregoing, that the ever-memorable Longstone Lighthouse 

 has caused the destruction of many of the winged tribe in 

 their migration flights. The flash of this light can be 

 seen for fifteen miles, encompassing and protecting the 

 twenty islets which form the Fame group. It is in 

 winter no uncommon sight for the lighthouse keeper still 

 a Darling to descry in the early morning several ducks 

 with broken necks lying on the rocks close by. It is a 

 common saying that ' 'Longstone has a meal to-day.*' 

 Some woodcock were recently found similarly killed, 

 whilst many more have been shot by the daring visiting 

 fowlers who made North Sunderland their rendezvous. 



"The Scottish Field" says : Some doubt has been 

 recently expressed by writers who are generally well in- 

 formed as to the nidification of the woodcock on Scottish 

 soil. I had fancied that the fact had long been univer- 

 sally accepted that the long-billed bird nested and reared 

 its broods in this country, but it would appear that a num- 

 ber of sceptics still exist. Mr. Maclnroy has come for- 

 ward and unequivocally stated that the nesting of wood- 

 cock in Scotland is quite common. Twenty-nine years 

 ago he found the first nest, and as the years pass by such 

 nests are encountered in ever-increasing numbers. For 

 carrying out its domestic plans, the bird favours certain 

 districts and avoids others. Many people believe that the 

 woodcock produces two broods in the season, but on this 

 point there is really no conclusive evidence. Unfledged 

 birds have been found as early as the middle of April and 

 as late as the end of August, but these irregularities may 

 be accounted for in various ways. Young birds are often 

 shot whenever the grouse season opens. Certain 

 1 'sportsmen " have been known to make really large bags 

 of young cock even on the Twelfth. Although the law 

 permits the killing of the birds from the first day of 

 August, it is a well-known fact that they are unfit either 

 for shooting or eating until October. No true sportsman 

 will endeavour to bag them earlier. If the birds are to 

 be accorded an opportunity of gaining a firm foothold as 



