THE WOODCOCK 



Scolopax rusticula 



The plumage is grey below, faintly barred on flanks. The 

 head barred on top and spotted on sides. The wings are 

 rich chestnut-brown with transverse bars of black ; a narrow 

 stripe of rich yellow triff edged with black runs along the 

 scapulars ; tail short and pointed, barred with chestnut and 

 black, is tipped with grey above and pure white beneath. 

 Legs a pale flesh colour ; beak reddish at base, brown at tip. 

 Eyes, peculiarly large and of a rich brown, are placed more 

 backward than in most birds. Total length, 14*25 inches. 



Accounts in 1907-8 show that the Woodcock has 

 been obtained fairly frequently, and a case was 

 told me of two being obtained literally by the side 

 of the road from Cairo to the Pyramids in one 

 morning. It is very usual to deplore the existence 

 of " the man with the gun " without in the least 

 really considering the whole matter. That certain 

 men with guns shoot at everything and at all times, 

 breeding season or otherwise, and without any object 

 in killing their victims, is of course deplorable ; but 

 the killing of birds in season that can be used as 

 food for man is no offence whatever. Further, from 

 observant good sportsmen has come a full half of 

 all the knowledge of birds that exists, and this 



125 



