THE WOODCOCK 
Scolopax rusticula 
The plumage is grey below, faintly barred on flanks. The 
head barred on top and spotted on sides. The wings are 
rich chestnut-brown with transverse bars of black ; a narrow 
stripe of rich yellow triff edged with black runs along the 
scapulars ; tail short and pointed, barred with chestnut and 
black, is tipped with grey above and pure white beneath. 
Legs a pale flesh colour; beak reddish at base, brown at tip. 
Eyes, peculiarly large and of a rich brown, are placed more 
backward than in most birds. Total length, 14°25 inches. 
Accounts in 1907-8 show that the Woodcock has 
been obtained fairly frequently, and a case was 
told me of two being obtained literally by the side 
of the road from Cairo to the Pyramids in one 
morning. It is very usual to deplore the existence 
of “the man with the gun” without in the least 
really considering the whole matter. That certain 
men with guns shoot at everything and at all times, 
breeding season or otherwise, and without any object 
in killing their victims, is of course deplorable ; but 
the killing of birds in season that can be used as 
food for man is no offence whatever. Further, from 
observant good sportsmen has come a full half of 
all the knowledge of birds that exists, and this 
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