WOODCOCK AND SNIPE 113 



lead. They are erratic in their goings and comings 

 in certain places, for reasons that they only know. 



A place that has been deserted for years as 

 one of their haunts, has been returned to this year 

 (1894) in considerable numbers. When alter- 

 ations are going on, in buildings particularly, they 

 flight it elsewhere ; then when all is properly settled 

 down they visit that haunt again at least they have 

 done so in this instance. 



THE WOODCOCK. 



(Scolopax rusticola.) 



MALE. The bill is flesh colour, with a tinge of 

 bluish-grey, dusky at the end ; iris dark brown. 

 The upper part of the plumage is coloured in a very 

 intricate manner ; forehead grey ; upper and hind- 

 part of head blackish-brown, with three narrow bars 

 of pale reddish-brown. Back marked with blackish- 

 brown grey, chestnut red, and brownish-yellow ; 

 sides and fore-part of neck light yellowish-brown, 

 changing on the belly to pale yellowish-grey, all 

 with narrow bars of dusky brown. On the lower 

 part of the side of the neck is a patch of blackish- 

 brown ; wing coverts chestnut red, barred with grey 

 and dusky colour ; rump and upper tail coverts of a 

 lighter red, barred with dusky colour. Primary quills 

 and coverts brownish-black, barred on the outer web 

 with pale red spots. Tail feathers brownish-black, 

 barred on their margins with red, leaving a large 

 round grey spot at the end ; legs and feet flesh 



