LXL WOODCOCK. 



(Scolopax rusticula.} 



THE Woodcock breeds in Moidart, as well as in many other parts 

 of the North of Scotland ; but, besides the native, there are many 

 immigrants in winter, especially during frost, when they come to 

 the milder climate of the western sea coast. The nest in the 

 illustration was at the foot of a small rock amongst withered oak 

 leaves which covered the mossy ground, and of which the nest 

 was artlessly constructed, but artfully concealed, as nest, eggs, 

 bird, and ground were all of the same colour, so that one might 

 have passed it without notice. The eggs, four in number, were 

 placed plover-fashion with the small ends together. Their great 

 idea of safety is to be as invisible as possible, by remaining 

 perfectly still in hopes of escaping the observation of the enemy. 

 Young Snipes and Sandpipers do so when warned by the outcries 

 of their parents. It is a most convenient habit when one wishes 

 to draw them. 



A Woodcock was given me once which was caught unhurt 

 by one of the beaters in a shooting party in Forfarshire. It 

 was hiding itself under a bush. I kept it in a cage for some 

 days, in order to make a drawing of it, and to watch its habits. 

 I put some earthworms in a tumbler with wet mud, and it 

 groped for them with its long sensitive bill, stamping meanwhile 

 with its feet on the floor of the cage, as Blackbirds do when they 

 want the worms to come up out of the earth, but with one foot 

 at a time, not with both. 



When the drawing was done, I took the bird out and let it go, 

 rather to the disgust of the housekeeper, who had counted on it 

 for a roast. It went off stealthily into the wood, and I saw no 

 more of it. I have seen a Woodcock " within a mile o' Edinboro' 

 toon " flying about in the gloaming of a winter afternoon. 



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