THE WOODCOCK 



SCOLOPAX RUSTICULA 



LOCAL names in surrounding counties : 



STATUS IN BRITISH AVIFAUNA : A local resident but 

 most abundant during winter and the two seasons of 

 migration. 



RADIAL DISTRIBUTION WITHIN FIFTEEN MILES OF ST. 

 PAUL'S : The Woodcock was once much commoner within 

 the Metropolitan area than it is now, and there are many 

 places covered with streets and houses where it formerly 

 had its haunts. Indeed, some of the present day parks 

 were once famous retreats of the Woodcock. It is said 

 occasionally to breed in the Windsor district, just beyond 

 our limits. It has been known to do so in Epping Forest, 

 and there are many quiet woodlands in the remoter 

 suburbs where it might do so and be quite overlooked. 

 I know of no locality, however, within the radius where 

 the bird habitually nests. It is, therefore, as a winter 

 visitor only that we can include the Woodcock amongst 

 London's birds. It is found occasionally on the large 

 suburban commons, Wimbledon, Tooting, Streatham, 

 Wormwood Scrubbs, Hampstead, and so forth. Wembley 

 Park was once a noted haunt of this species, and it still 

 visits the Harrow and Kingsbury districts. Epping and 

 Wanstead are other winter resorts ; whilst many others 

 are scattered about the Kentish and Surrey areas. It is 

 rather erratic in its appearance, more numerous some 

 years than others, and, I may add, has several times been 

 killed in the streets of the Metropolis. 



As a rule the only time the Woodcock is seen is when it 

 is flushed. It is one of our most skulking birds, and as it 

 is for the most part active at night its movements are very 

 difficult to observe. Great numbers of Woodcock pass 

 our islands in spring, and still greater numbers in autumn, 

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