WOODCOCK. GRALLATORES. SCOLOPAX. 107 



markings, though more intense and brilliant in tint. They 

 are solitary birds, and generally live isolated, except during 

 the season of reproduction, or at the periods of migration. 

 They are distinguished from the rest of the Scolopacidce by 

 the square form of the head, and by the eyes being seated so 

 far backward, a provision which gives them a very free com- 

 pass of sight, and allows them to plunge the bill deeper in 

 the soft ground in search of their prey. 



WOODCOCK. 



SCOLOPAX RVSTICOLA, Linn. 

 PLATE XXIII. FIG. 1. 



Scolopax rusticola, Linn. Syst. 1. 243. 6 Gmel Syst. 1. 660. Lath. Ind. 



Ornith. 2. 713. 1 Shaw's Zool. 12. 44. pi. 7 Flem. Br. Anim. 1. 105. 



sp. 145. 



Scolopax, JBriss. 5. 292. 1 Ran Syn. 104. A. I. Will. 213. 53. 

 La Becasse, Buff. Ois. 7- 462. 25. 

 Becasse ordinaire, Temm. Man. d'Ornith. 2. 673. 

 Wald-schneppe, Becks t. Naturg. Deut. 4. 158 Meyer, Tasschenb. Deut. 



2. 361. 

 Woodcock, Br. Zool. 2. No. 178. t. 65. Arct. Zcol. 2. 470. A Will 



(Angl.) 289. t. 53.Albin. Br. Birds, 1. t. 70. Lath. Syn. 5. 129. 1. 



Mont. Ornth. Diet. 2 Id. Sup Bewick's Br. Birds, 2. t. p. 60 



Shaw's Zool. 12. 44. pi. 7. 



THIS well-known bird, so favourite an object of pursuit 

 with the sportsman, and so highly esteemed by the epicure, 

 can only be considered as a regular winter visitant ; for al- Periodical 

 though instances are not wanting of Woodcocks remaining vlsltant * 

 through the summer, and even breeding in extensive woods 

 in different parts of the kingdom*, they are still too few, I 

 think, to warrant its admission as an indigenous species. I 

 have, however, heard it asserted of late, that such instances 

 are increasing, and that there are districts in which these 

 birds may be found at all seasons in the year ; among others? 



* See BEWICK'S British Birds, Art. Woodcock; and MONTAGU'S Orni- 

 thological Dictionary and Supplement, where well-authenticated instances 

 are given. 



