WOODCOCK AND SNIPE 113 



lead. They are erratic in their goings and comings 

 in certain places, for reasons that they only know. 



A place that has been deserted for years as 

 one of their haunts, has been returned to this year 

 (1894) in considerable numbers. When alter- 

 ations are going on, in buildings particularly, they 

 flight it elsewhere ; then when all is properly settled 

 down they visit that haunt again — at least they have 

 done so in this instance. 



THE WOODCOCK. 



(Scolopax rusticola.) 



Male. — The bill is flesh colour, with a tinge of 

 bluish-grey, dusky at the end ; iris dark brown. 

 The upper part of the plumage is coloured in a very 

 intricate manner ; forehead grey ; upper and hind- 

 part of head blackish-brown, with three narrow bars 

 of pale reddish-brown. Back marked with blackish- 

 brown grey, chestnut red, and brownish-yellow ; 

 sides and fore-part of neck light yellowish-brown, 

 changing on the belly to pale yellowish-grey, all 

 with narrow bars of dusky brown. On the lower 

 part of the side of the neck is a patch of blackish- 

 brown ; wing coverts chestnut red, barred with grey 

 and dusky colour ; rump and upper tail coverts of a 

 lighter red, barred with dusky colour. Primary quills 

 and coverts brownish-black, barred on the outer web 

 with pale red spots. Tail feathers brownish-black, 

 barred on their margins with red, leaving a large 

 round grey spot at the end ; legs and feet flesh 



