OCCASIONAL NOTES. 65 
and not to suck out the moisture. Their bills are specially adapted to this 
purpose; besides the fact that the upper mandible is produced into a solid 
point which overlaps the end of the lower mandible to facilitate the operation 
of boring, these birds possess the power of opening at will the extremity of 
the bill while the rest of that organ remains tightly closed. The extremity 
of the bill is also for some length tender and sensitive on the outer surface, 
and can therefore both feel the worms and capture them with every function 
of a finger and thumb. Anyone may convince himself of the truth of this 
by holding the bill of a Snipe just killed tightly closed with one hand, while 
with the other hand he presses the muscles at the base of the hiuder part 
of the skull ; he will then see the extremity of the bill open sufficiently to 
capture a worm or any such animal. In a very few hours after death the 
muscles become rigid and the point of the bill hard and shrivelled, and this 
power of action is lost. 1 cannot think that Woodcocks have more frequently 
remained to breed in this country of late years than they used to do in 
former times. Indeed my own experience would lead me to suppose that in 
point of numbers the species has become much scarcer; and I quite agree 
with the opinion of Sir W. Jardine, quoted by Mr. Harting, that the fact of 
a greater number of their nests having been discovered is owing to the 
increase of ornithologists rather than Woodcocks.—A. MarruEws (Guuiley, 
Leicestershire). 
Woopcock caRRyING Irs Younc.—lI have read your article on the 
Woodcock (Zool. 1879, p. 433). Although I have seen the bird carrying 
its young, I never observed any daylight between the legs. As the bird flies 
away, the hind quarters droop, and it looks more like a huge wasp or hornet 
than anything else. I am no draughtsman, but | send you a rough outline 
of what I have seen. ‘The tail and hind portion drooped even more than in 
my sketch. I could never make out the feet and legs, and realize the 
exact mode of grip. The small Woodcock in the distance, in your plate, is 
like the thing, if the tail were depressed a bit—J. Dunpar Branpier 
(Pitgaveny, Elgin, N.B.). 
Mieration oF Woopcocks anD Snipe.—Towards the end of November 
I went to shoot in a large cover, celebrated for Woodcocks, near here, and 
where, the previous week, eight had been seen. The day I speak of was cold, 
with snow—no frost—and we did not see one. My friend and I remarked 
that this was ominous of cold weather. The next day the frost set in, and 
I have no doubt the Woodcocks’ instinct had advised them to quit their 
quarters. In 1878 I remember seeing a great many Snipe flying round 
and round in circles over a meadow, no doubt preparing to migrate ; for, a 
few days after, severe weather set in. We have had no Fieldfares, and but 
few Redwings, either this winter or last. Did their instinct lead them 
further west or south at the autumn migration ?— W. J. Tomcinson 
(The Woodlands, Burton-on-Trent). 
K 
