THE WOODCOCK. 



SCO LOP AX RUSTICULA. 



NOT many years ago it was currently believed by 

 sportsmen that no Woodcocks remained in the 

 British Islands after the end of winter, except per- 

 haps a few wounded birds, which were unable to 

 cross the sea to their usual breeding-places. Nor 

 is this notion yet altogether exploded, so difficult is 

 it to controvert preconceived ideas which have once 

 firmly taken hold of the public mind. 



It is, of course, perfectly true that the greater 

 proportion of the Woodcocks which are found here 

 by sportsmen during the shooting season are winter 

 visitants, which arrive in October, and which, if not 

 killed, would leave the country again in March or 

 early in April. But it is equally the fact that a 

 large number of Woodcocks annually remain here 

 to pair and nest in suitable localities. 



