626 



12 



" On the west coast of Argyllshire they are found in greater numbers, and are not so much 

 confined to covers, being found in open weather scattered through all the sheltered glens where 

 there is any brushwood or even bracken. On the occurrence of frost, however, they all gather 

 to the low-lying covers near the sea, where its influence serves to keep open the springs ; and in 

 such weather very large bags are often made, as they seem to come not only from the outlying 

 spots above mentioned, but from the inland districts, where the frost has sealed up every one of 

 their usual haunts. I have not beside me, but hope to send you in a few days, if not too late, a 

 note of some bags made on such occasions. 



" In both of the above districts I have observed with much interest the evening flight of the 

 Woodcock in summer, while they have young, and are engaged apparently in carrying food to 

 them, flying back and forward from their roosting-places to their feeding-grounds. These latter 

 appear to be, in the West Highlands, generally near the shore, as the flight of the birds is 

 generally directed towards it. While passing overhead thus in their semi-owllike flight, they 

 constantly utter their peculiar double note, first a cheep and then a double croak, in quick 

 succession. 



" The breeding of the Woodcock does not seem to have been observed in any of the districts 

 above mentioned until within the last twenty years ; but in both it now breeds regularly, and in, 

 I think, increasing numbers. 



" I have known of their nests from early in March to at least the 17th of May, when I have 

 found fresh eggs ; and thus I think it possible that they may bring up two broods in the season. 

 The eggs are generally placed in an open part of the wood, where there is little undercover, and 

 where any decayed leaves may be lying, no nest being formed, the bird seeming to trust to their 

 not being discovered owing to the manner in which they harmonize with the dead leaves. 



" I have had on three occasions the good fortune to see the Woodcock in the act of carrying 

 her young. On the first occasion the bird rose from my feet one day in the month of June, in a 

 thick coppice cover in Argyllshire, and flew with her strange burden carried between her thighs 

 for about thirty yards, in the manner well described in a note in Mr. Gray's ' Birds of the West 

 of Scotland.' On following her she again rose, still carrying the young one, and flew into some 

 thick cover. On this and the next occasion, which was in Perthshire, the birds uttered no cry ; 

 but the last time I witnessed this curious habit, which was on the 5th of May last, the bird 

 made the peculiar cry alluded to in the note in Mr. Gray's work. On this occasion I could 

 observe the bird more distinctly, as it was in an old oak cover, with very little underwood, where 

 I discovered her. On rising she flew from thirty-five to forty yards, calling as above mentioned, 

 and then, alighting among some grass, seemed to flutter along, still retaining hold of the chick. 

 On raising her again the same manoeuvre was repeated, only that the distance flown each time 

 was greater, but always in the segment of a circle, as if she were unwilling to leave the rest of 

 the brood. On returning to the spot where she rose at first, I discovered one of these, which 

 was more than half-grown, the quill-feathers being well formed, and must altogether have formed 

 rather a heavy burden. On taking it up it uttered a cry, which was at once responded to by the 

 parent bird, although the latter did not again take to wing from the bushes into which it had 

 ultimately flown." 



Like many other birds the Woodcock is subject both to melanism and albinism : but the 



