1188 Birds. 



looking round these for its excrements, which are large, white and 

 inodorous. The woodcock generally flies up when the dogs are 

 nearly on it, but does not take long flights, plunging heavily under 

 cover again, and then running for a considerable distance. In the 

 month of April, when they leave us, numbers are killed by watching 

 for them at dusk, at the end of some alley leading out of a wood 

 which they are known to frequent; generally, between 7 and 8 

 o'clock, they are heard coming, solitary or in couples, crying pede, 

 pede, pede ! and are then shot. Our sportsmen distinguish several 

 varieties of woodcocks, but I have as yet discovered no difference 

 between them and the type. 



I have reason to suppose that a few birds nestle in some retired 

 parts of the country. 



Velvet Scoter, Oidemia fusca. This, of all the duck tribe found on 

 our coasts, is the most wary and difficult of approach. It is not 

 common. 



Gannet, Sula alba. Common on our coasts in winter. Never 

 nestles. The greater number seen here are most probably British 

 birds, as I see that the gannet leaves England just at the time it ap- 

 pears in this country. This is one of the water-birds whose habits 

 are the best known. 



Great black -backed Gull, Larus marinus, and 



Common Gull, Larus canus. Both very common on our sea- shore, 

 and follow up our rivers after severe storms. 



Smew, Mergus albellus. This pretty bird is not uncommon with 

 us ; it seems to belong to my Group e, but I have not yet been able 

 to satisfy myself fully on that subject. 



Common Scoter, Oidemia nigra. Common at sea and at the mouth 

 of rivers, scarce inland. It is sometimes seen in such vast flocks on 

 our shores, that the sea seems covered by a cloud, which skims the 

 surface of the waves. It is wonderful how a bird so ill fitted for 

 flight, can perform long migrations along the northern coasts of all 

 the middle countries of Europe. 



Scaup Duck, Fuligula Marila, and 



Tufted Duck, Fuligula cristata. Both exceedingly common in 

 winter, the first on our shores, the second on our marshes and lakes. 

 Both accidentally occur on rivers and ponds of the interior. 



White-fronted Goose, Anser albifrons. Common in winter at the 

 mouth of the Scheldt. Numbers are consumed by the towns of Ant- 

 werp and Brussels. Very scarce inland, and when found there, very 

 shy and difficult of approach within gun-shot. 



