THE WOODCOCK. 309 



a doubt that it breeds occasionally in Mull. Mr Graham informs 

 me that a party of peat-cutters found a young brood on that island, 

 opposite lona, and caught one of the chicks, which he had an 

 opportunity of examining. Nearer the southern mainland it 

 becomes more plentiful, and is found in Islay in considerable 

 numbers,* although, as I am informed by Mr Elwes, comparatively 

 few remain there during the breeding season; but in Dumbarton- 

 shire the nest is frequently met with, especially in the neighbour- 

 hood of Loch Lomond, and on some of the islands of the loch 

 itself, where it may be seen on summer nights soaring in circles 

 above its nursery haunts, and occasionally carrying its young tucked 

 between its legs when removing to another feeding ground.^ It 

 is probable that it could be traced from north to south in summer, 

 breeding here and there between the counties of Sutherland and 

 Wigtown. Captain Cash of Dingwall has informed me that he 

 has undoubted evidence of its nesting in Ross-shire; the nest has 

 been obtained in the woods at Brahan Castle, and also on the 

 estate of Castle Leod, both properties being within a few miles of 



* The late Mr Thompson, in his 'Birds of Ireland,' mentions that on two 

 properties in Islay Ardimersy and Islay House one thousand Woodcocks 

 were killed in the season of 1846-47. 



t The Rev. J. E. Somerville has kindly communicated to me the following 

 note on this habit of the Woodcock, and I have much pleasure in giving it here 

 as the direct evidence of an eye-witness: About the middle of July, this year 

 (1869), I was passing in company with a younger brother, through the woods 

 which surround Brodick Castle, in the Island of Arran. The day being op- 

 pressively hot, we left the path, and struck down among the spruce firs, in that 

 portion of the wood which lies at the entrance to Glenrosa. On reaching a 

 cleared space beneath some large trees, I was startled by the sudden rise of a 

 Woodcock from within two or three yards of my feet. My attention was im- 

 mediately arrested, not so much by the appearance of such a bird at that season 

 of the year, as by its very remarkable mode of flight, which was slow, heavy, 

 and apparently sustained with difficulty. A few moments' observation revealed 

 the cause. The legs of the bird were seen hanging downwards, and between 

 them was clasped a little mass of feathers. It was one of its own young, which 

 maternal instinct had prompted the parent to rescue in this most curious manner. 

 The Woodcock flew forwards about thirty yards, and then dropped down into 

 the dense growth of fern. During its flight it uttered a peculiar rapid note, 

 between a scream and a croak, which was continued for some minutes after 

 alighting, but in more subdued tone. Believing other young ones to be in the 

 neighbourhood, we made a careful search, but without result, and then retired 

 into concealment, to await the return of the parent bird. After a few minutes 

 it appeared creeping cautiously up among the ferns. On catching sight of us, 

 it squatted down on the ground for some time, then rose, and flew away to a 

 short distance. 



