34 WOODCOCK. 



WOODCOCK. 



PLATE CLXXII. FIGURE I. 



Scolopax rusticfi/,1. PENNANT. MONTAGU. 



THE nest of this bird is built in woods and plan- 

 tations, among dry grass, fern, or leaves, of which 

 its structure is formed. It is loosely put together, but 

 is placed in some warm spot, as, e.g., at the root of a 

 tree. 



The eggs are generally four in number. They are 

 of a yellowish white colour, blotted with pale chesnut 

 brown. They require seventeen days incubation; the 

 hen bird sits very close. The young run about as 

 soon as hatched. 



Two broods are hatched in the year. 

 Mr. D. Brown, of Trinity College, Glenalmond, 

 Perth, has kindly forwarded me a specimen of the egg. 



