WOODCOCK. 131 



and exposed in the markets in Sweden for sale. "Whether this has heen carried on to 

 a sufficient extent to induce the birds to seek other nesting-places, we are not able to 

 state: we merely mention the fact. 



The nest of the "Woodcock is placed on the ground, and is composed wholly of dead 

 leaves, such as those of the ferns. It is built in some dry situation in a wood, often 

 among long grass, but where there is little underwood; or among heath, which is 

 sometimes found in open elevated woods. Mr. C. St. John states that the nests are 

 found in Sutherlandshire. "not only in the large fir plantations, but also in the smaller 

 patches of birch, etc., which fringe the shores of many of the most northern lakes." 

 •■As I have seen their nests at all times from March to August, it is natural to 

 suppose that the Woodcock breeds more than once in the season." 



During the time of incubation the "Woodcock has a call-note, syllabled by Mr. James 

 Creighton. gamekeeper to the Earl of Eoden, at Tollymore Park. County of Down, by 

 the words Vaap-waap' 'weep-weep.' in addition to their ordinary one of ; hisp.' He believes 

 the calls to be used by both sexes ; and as the "Woodcock breeds abundantly in Tollyniore 

 Park. Mr. Creighton must have had ample opportunities of determining the fact. 



The eggs, which are four in number, have the ground colour a pale yellow white, 

 with spots and blotches of ash gray, and two shades of reddish yellow brown at the 

 broader end. They measure in length one inch and three-quarters, by one inch and a 

 third in breadth. The time occupied in incubation is believed by Mr. Creighton to be 

 twenty-one days: and he states that the young leave the nest immediately after birth, 

 and that the male bird remains within a dozen paces of the nest during the time 

 of incubation. 



When the following accounts were written, the nesting of the Woodcock in this country 

 was a very rare occurrence, though then becoming more frequent than formerly: — Mr. 

 "W. C. Williamson has recorded in "Loudon's Maeazine of Xatural Historv," the occurrence 

 of three pairs breeding "in one wood belonging to Prancis Hurt, Esq., of Alderwasley, 

 near Derby. The nests, when discovered, all contained eggs, the old birds being then 

 sitting. I wrote to Mr. Hurt on April 29th., (1836,) requesting him to procure for our 

 society a nest with eggs; and, two or three days after, he kindly sent me the nest, with 

 the broken sheUs of four eggs, which, as well as those of the other nests, had been hatched 

 even at that early period of the year. Two of the young broods, with the old birds leading 

 them about, have been seen bv the gamekeeper of that gentleman, who remarks in his 

 letter, that, on going to the nest, the old bird did not rise until he had approached 

 within the distance of a yard. They were all in dry, warm situations, amongst dead 

 grass and leaves, without any attempt at concealment. The nest sent was wholly composed 

 of dead leaves, chiefly of the common fern, loosely laid together, and without any Uning. 

 The underwood was thin, and of not more than from seven to ten years growth."' 



