. THE STILT-WALKERS. .- 33 



considerable extent in most parts of the forest, and also in other woods of Morayshire, the Aird of 

 Inverness, and on the Dee, • the Don, the Spey, and other parts of the Highlands, but within our 

 knowledge nowhere so numerously as in Tarnaway. Without any search, and merely on the accidental 

 occasions of roe-hunting, we have found in one season nineteen nests with eggs. It would, however, 

 be more proper to say beds than nests; for, like those of the Plover, they are merely slight hollows 

 formed by the nestling of the birds in dry soft spots, or on the fallen leaves. As the nests are on 

 dry ground, the old ones will sometimes carry their young in their claws to the nearest spring or 

 green strip. Several times when the hounds, in beating the ground, have come upon a brood, we 

 have seen the old bird rise with a young one in her claws, and carry it fifty or one hundred yards away, 

 and, if followed to the place where she alighted, she has repeated the transaction until too much 

 harassed. One morning, while sitting on a grey stone, I saw a dark eye which was fixed upon mine 

 from the bed of dead leaves before me, when suddenly the little brown head of a young Woodcock 

 peeped out from the feathers of the old one's breast, uttering that plaintive cry for which language has 

 no sign. There were two more young Woodcocks, and to relieve the anxiety of the madre, I left her. 

 Near the place where I found her there was a soft green strip such as Woodcocks love. I had no 

 doubt that the family would be there next day, and as I passed I turned aside to see what they 

 were doing. Upon a dry bank, half down the brae, I almost stumbled over a bird which rose 

 at my feet, and as it started through the trees I saw that it had something in its claws, and at 

 the same time I heard the plaintive cry of little Woodcocks just under my feet. I looked down, 

 there were two, and I thought a Hawk 'had carried off the third, and perhaps killed the mother. 

 This, however, I found, on following the bird, was the old Woodcock, which, being flushed again 

 suddenly, after a low flight of only a few yards, dropped what she was carrying — her own young 

 Woodcock. I gave her a little time to find him, which was not difficult, as he called to her as loud 

 as his tiny bill could pipe. In a few moments I ran forward, and she rose with him in her feet, her long 

 legs dangling and swinging with her little burden like a parachute. I left her to pursue her flight in 

 peace, and went on my way, but I have no doubt she went back for the other two, for several times 

 afterwards I saw them all together in the soft green glade." The three or four eggs laid by the female 

 are large, broad, and short in shape, with a smooth, lustreless, light reddish yellow shell, very variously 

 marked with different shades of red and brown. The mother alone broods and hatches her little 

 family in about seventeen or eighteen days. If -disturbed whilst sitting, she allows the intruder to 

 approach quite close before quitting her charge, and after flying to a short distance almost immediately 

 returns ; even should she be deprived of an egg she still continues to brood. Whilst thus engaged the 

 female receives little or no attention from her mate, but the young are no sooner hatched than 

 the male at once undertakes his share of parental duties, and exhibits equally with the mother a 

 most touching anxiety and devotion in their behalf. Should an enemy intrude upon them, the old 

 birds employ every effort to attract attention to themselves, while the young immediately crouch 

 beneath the long grass or moss, in which they can rarely be discovered without the aid of a dog. 

 When three weeks old the fledglings begin to use their wings, but are capable of seeking food before 

 they can fly. Until lately it has been supposed that Woodcocks lay but once in the year, or at 

 most only produce a second supply of eggs if the first has been stolen or destroyed. Recent 

 observations, however, tend to prove this idea to be erroneous. Hoffmann, in particular, after long and 

 careful investigation, is of opinion that in favourable seasons each pair of these birds rears two broods. 



The MARSH SNIPES (Gallinago) are characterised by their comparatively long, flat beak, 

 moderately long, bare foot, and long, thin toe's", which are entirely unconnected ; the wing is much 

 incised, and the short tail composed of from fourteen to twenty-six feathers. 

 VOL. iv. — 123 



