, 



THE WOODCOCK 

 (Scolopax rusticola) 



PERHAPS no species of Wader is better known by name than 

 the Woodcock, yet how few persons are acquainted with this 

 shy bird's habits and economy. It may justly rank with our 

 rarer birds, and though widely dispersed during the winter 

 months, in summer it is exceedingly local, and its habits are 

 known to none but the most observant field naturalist. The 

 Woodcock resides in our islands throughout the year, but it 

 is one of those species that changes its ground very capriciously, 

 and is far more numerous and widely dispersed in winter 

 than in summer. In the balmy autumn days great flights of 

 this beautiful bird come from across the sea and arrive on our 

 eastern shores, from which they gradually disperse over the 

 inland woods and plantations. I have several times been on 

 the low-lying coasts, watching the ways and doings of my 



