W6 WOODCOCK, PLOVER, PIGEON. 



THE WOODCOCK. 



The woodcock is a most delicate bird, the favourite food 

 of dainty palates, and affording particular amusement to the 

 fowler, to bring down. Its colours are a variation of black, 

 grey, and reddish brown ; the beak is three inches long, 

 and formed for probing soft moist ground. 



During summer, woodcocks inhabit the Alps and the 

 northern countries of Europe, where they breed. They 

 subsist wholly on worms and insects, which the extensive 

 forests and lakes of the North produce in abundance ; but 

 no sooner does the frost set in, than they wing their flight 

 to more temperate climates, and continue there till the 

 beginning of March, when they regularly disappear, except 

 a small number which occasionally breed with us. Before 

 their departure, they flock towards the sea coast, and, if 

 the wind be favourable, immediately take wing ; but, if it 

 be adverse, prudently wait for a more propitious gale. 



THE PLOVER. 



During the winter season, this elegant bird frequents our 

 moors and heaths in small flocks. Its length is eleven 

 inches, and the expansion of its wings twenty-four. The 

 head, back, and coverts of the wings are black, beautifully 

 spotted with light yellowish green ; the breast is brown, 

 marked with greenish oblong strokes, and the belly is 

 white. This bird makes a shrill whistling noise, and may 

 be enticed within shot by a skilful imitation of its note. It 

 breeds on unfrequented mountains, and is very common in 

 the western islands of Scotland. 



THE PIGEON. 



This bird and all its beautiful varieties derive their origin 

 from the stock-dove ; but the discriminations are become so 

 numerous, from cultivation, that it is impossible to enume- 

 rate or describe them. The domestic pigeon, which is 

 itself the creature of art, ha given rise to many elegant 



