617 



caught one of the chicks, which he had an opportunity of examining. Nearer the southern 

 mainland it becomes more plentiful, and is found in Islay in considerable numbers, although, as 

 I am informed by Mr. Elwes, comparatively few remain there during the breeding-season ; but 

 in Dumbartonshire the nest is frequently met with, especially in the neighbourhood of Loch 

 Lomond, and on some of the islands of the loch itself, where it may be seen on summer nights 

 soaring in circles above its nursery haunts, and occasionally carrying its young tucked between 

 its legs when removing to another feeding-ground. It is probable that it could be traced from 

 north to south in summer, breeding here and there between the counties of Sutherland and 

 Wigtown. Captain Cash, of Dingwall, has informed me that he has undoubted evidence of its 

 nesting in Ross-shire ; the nest has been obtained in woods at Brahan Castle, and also on the 

 estate of Castle Leod, both properties being within a few miles of Dingwall. Tt has also been 

 bred regularly for the last thirty years at Tarbat, in the same county, information to that effect 

 having been obligingly sent to me through Mr. Dickinson, thje head keeper there. I have also 

 been informed that Woodcocks have also bred at Beauford, near the Beauly Firth. In the winter 

 of 1868-1869 the birds were very scarce on these two properties — a circumstance probably owing 

 to the heat and want of rain in the month of July, the young birds having been nearly all killed. 

 In many parts of Morayshire, especially in the neighbourhood of Darnaway forest, considerable 

 numbers remain to breed. About the time of the autumnal migration our preserves derive a 

 large accession of Woodcocks from other countries. These flights reach the coasts during the 

 night, and are well known to lighthouse-keepers, who capture the bewildered travellers in con- 

 siderable numbers. Some of these men have informed me that for seven or eight nights in 

 succession the birds continue to arrive, and hundreds perish by striking themselves against the 

 lantern. The food of this species consists chiefly of small worms and the larvae of insects. 

 I recollect, however, finding a large quantity of heather shoots in the stomach of a Woodcock 

 shot on the Lammermoor Hills, Haddingtonshire." Mr. Harvie-Brown states that it breeds all 

 over Sutherlandshire wherever sufficient cover is to be found, but perhaps it is most abundant 

 along the banks of the river Shin and at Rosehall ; and Dr. Saxby says that it is common enough 

 in Orkney, but has not been known to breed in the islands. Until lately it was very rare in 

 Shetland ; but he says that he saw a nest, containing four eggs, on the Hermanness hill, on the 

 23rd- of May, and the shepherd in charge of the hill informed him that it had bred there for 

 several years. 



In Ireland, according to Thompson, it winters in larger numbers than in England and 

 Scotland, usually arriving in the north of Ireland in October ; but it has occasionally appeared in 

 September. Most leave in March, rarely remaining until the end of the month ; but a few 

 remain to breed, and he gives (B. of Ireland, ii. pp. 247-257) very full details relative to nests 

 having been found in various parts of the country. 



It has not been met with in Greenland or Iceland ; and Captain Feilden remarks that the 

 Fseroe Islands must be beyond the western limit of the migratory line of flight of this bird ; for 

 it has only once been procured there, on the island of Naalsoe, on the 15th November 1852. 

 Throughout Scandinavia, however, it is common in summer. Mr. Collett says that it breeds in 

 all wooded parts of Norway up to Bodo, but north of the Polar Circle it is only found singly, as 

 for instance in Lofoten. It is very numerous in all non-conifer woods in Western Norway and 



