52^ CLASS AVES. 



as the Sardinian Alps. They do not appear throughout 

 the isle until the end of October, and at the end of March 

 they are nowhere to be seen. They visit us with the red- 

 wings, and are supposed to come from Sweden. They leave 

 us for the most part in the spring, but it is well known that 

 several pairs continue throughout the summer. More than 

 one instance has been known of their breeding here, a thing 

 never known in Scotland. 



Buffon says that the woodcocks arrive one by one, or two 

 by two, but never in flocks. This is quite true with regard 

 to their mode, of visiting this country. They appear in this 

 manner with us, and usually in the evening in misty weather, 

 and are often so fatigued as to be taken by the hand, or 

 knocked down with sticks. On the continent, however, it 

 would seem that they may sometimes be seen in much greater 

 numbers together. Magne de MaroUes says, that he had a 

 woodcock in his hands which was killed in a flight of from 

 fifty to sixty of these birds ; and he cites many instances 

 of fowlers, who, in a morning or evening, along a thick hedge, 

 or in a wood of small extent, have killed a dozen woodcocks, 

 and have met, in the commencement of their arrival, on cer- 

 tain days, forty, fifty, and even eighty of them, in a small 

 district, where none were to be seen the following day. Such 

 assemblages cannot in truth be easily explained on the 

 supposition of the woodcocks arriving one by one, or in 

 couples. 



On their arrival, these birds alight indififerently in woods, 

 hedges, heaths, coppices, &c. They prefer woods where 

 there is a thick mould and fallen leaves, under which they 

 seek for worms during the day-time. On the approach of 

 night they sally forth to drink, and wash their bills in ponds 

 and fountains. As soon as day begins to appear, they re-enter 

 the woods. 



The woodcock walks badly enough, as do all birds with 



