MATERNAL AFFECTION. 195 



" Scandinavian Adventures," it was looked on by many 

 both in Sweden and England as a fable; but from the 

 number of similar instances since recorded, it is now, I 

 believe, received as an admitted fact in both countries 

 that Woodcocks, when their young are in jeopardy, not 

 unfrequently thus convey them to a place of safety. 



The statements we used to read of Woodcocks bear- 

 ing their offspring from the woods where they reposed by 

 day to their feeding-grounds at a distance, were also at one 

 time looked on as inventions ; but that such is really the 

 case no one at the present day would for a moment 

 venture to question. 



. In Scandinavia I never heard of the Woodcock as 

 an aviary bird. On more than one occasion, young ones, 

 three parts fledged, have been brought to ine ; but 

 owing probably to improper food and treatment, they 

 did not long survive. That it may readily be domesti- 

 cated, however, is evidenced by the instance recently 

 mentioned. The late Lord Derby, moreover, had one at 

 Knowsley that, as I understood, throve exceedingly well, 

 being daily supplied with worms, &c. 



The Woodcock, generally speaking, is but little valued 

 for the table in Scandinavia, which is the less surprising 

 as our Northern neighbours have not much idea of 

 dressing it properly. They are even Goths enough to 

 throw away the trail, and as a matter of course the 

 delicious toast is wanting. Ninety-nine times out of a 

 hundred, moreover, instead of being " walked through 

 the kitchen," as is, I believe, the correct rule, it is 

 usually brought to table literally " done brown," and as 

 dry as a chip. I of course speak of the rural districts, 

 for in the capital and other large towns things are 

 managed somewhat better. 



Speaking of the Woodcock's "trail" reminds me of a 

 rather ludicrous incident that occurred in the house 



o 2 



