APRIL. JACK-SNIPE — WIDGEON. 207 



nests in very large companies, a great many being- 

 placed on each tree, and for the most part at a 

 considerable height from the ground. 



The last jack-snipe that I killed this year was on 

 the 1 8th of April. Indeed I do not remember ever 

 killing one after that time. I shot a greenshank on 

 the same day. The latter bird breeds commonly in 

 Sutherlandshire. But I have never ascertained 

 that the jack-snipe's nest was seen, or indeed that 

 the bird is known to breed, in that county. The 

 widgeons begin to decrease in numbers. 1 do not 

 understand the moulting of these birds : for at the 

 very time when they leave us, many of the male 

 birds have not attained their full plumage. Those 

 who frequent the salt water are more backward in 

 this respect than such as feed in the fresh waters ; 

 nor are the former ever in such good condition, or 

 so well flavoured, as the latter. 



There are very large flocks of the oyster-catcher, 

 the curlew, and the knot, on the sand-banks, etc. 

 Whenever these birds want to alight on any spot, 

 if the wind is at all high they invariably pitch with 

 their heads straight to windward ; if they come 

 down the wind to their resting-place, they first fly 

 past it, and then turning back against the wind, 

 alight with their heads in that direction. 



At this season salmon and trout frequent those 



