THE WOODCOCK. 681 



marked with smaller spots but varying on similar lines. Average 

 of 136 eggs, 38.6x27.4. Max. : 44.5x28.5 and 40x30. Min. : 

 35x27 and 38x25.5 mm. Breeding -season. — From early June, 

 through July and even early in Aug. Incubation. — No definite 

 information. Probably single brooded. 



Food. — Worms, insects (including small coleoptera, diptera and 

 various larvae), mollusca (Helix, Tellina, Pisidium, etc.) and some 

 vegetable matter (grass, plant fibre, etc.). 



Distribution. — British Isles. — Passage -migrant (end March to 

 3rd week May and mid-Sept, (early dates Aug. 12, 1910, Norfolk, 

 Aug. 20, 1910, Essex) to end Nov.) and winter- visitor. Generally 

 distributed but decidedly local. No authentic case of nesting. 

 Weather -movements (Dec. to March), frequent. 



Distribution. — Abroad. — Breeds in Lapland and Finland to 

 Germany (very rare and local Baltic republics, rare and irregular 

 north Germany, also Bavaria) north Poland, Russia, Siberia to 

 Kolyma, but not in northernmost latitudes. On migration and 

 in winter to Canaries, N. Africa from Marocco to Egypt, south to 

 Blue Nile, Lakes Nakuru and Naivasha, western Asia to India and 

 Ceylon, Burmah (rare), China (rare), Formosa and Japan. Also 

 casual Fseroes and Madeira. 



Genus SCOLOPAX L. 



Scolopax Linnseus, Syst. Nat., ed. x, i, p. 145 (1758 — Type by subsequent 

 designation by Gray, 1840, S. rusticola, also by tautonymy). 



Bill as in Capella but somewhat stouter, but upper mandible 

 similarly soft and flexible before tip. Eye very large and placed 

 still higher and further back in skull, upper and hind part of skull 

 being much reduced. Ear under anterior edge of eye. Wings much 

 shorter and less pointed than in Capella. Tail short and rounded, 

 middle rectrices a little recurved. 12 rectrices. Plumage soft and 

 thick, body-feathers shorter and closer than in Capella. Legs still 

 shorter and stouter than in latter, tibia entirely feathered. Toes 

 long, without webs, hind toe present, but very short, its claw not 

 projecting beyond toe. 1 species only, one subspecies recognized. 



SCOLOPAX RUSTICOLA 



432. Scolopax rusticola rusticola L.— THE WOODCOCK. 



Scolopax Rusticola Linnseus, Syst. Nat.,ed. x, i, p. 146 (1758 — Europe. 



Restricted typical locality : Sweden). 



Scolopax rusticula Linnaeus, Yarrell, in, p. 320 ; Saunders, p. 569. 



Description. — Adult male and female. Winter. — Fore-head and 

 fore-part of crown to above eye pink-buff, feathers with more or less 

 concealed markings of black-brown ; a narrow black-brown median 

 streak from base of culmen to crown ; rest of crown and upper- 



