684 A PRACTICAL HANDBOOK OF BRITISH BIRDS. 



extending nearly to tip, nasal groove filled with a membrane at 

 base, nostrils basal. Tibia feathered to joint, tarsus scutellated 

 anteriorly, reticulated laterally and posteriorly. Four toes, not 

 webbed, middle one dilated on inner side. 



Soft parts. — Bill dull flesh-colour, dark brown towards tip ; 

 legs and feet dull greyish flesh-colour, in some tinged yellowish ; 

 iris black-brown. 



Characters and allied eorms. — S. r. mira (Riu-Kiu Islands) has 

 upper- and under-parts darker. Distinguished by long, straight bill 

 and variegated plumage. 



Field -characters. — A woodland bird, particularly partial to 

 damp oak woods ; very difficult to see on ground owing to its pro- 

 tective coloration, but its size, warm brown tints, rounded wings 

 and long bill are unmistakable as it rises, twisting and turning like 

 a Snipe. Leaves shelter of woods in evening to feed in marshes and 

 spongy places about springs. At dusk in spring and summer 

 Woodcock fly about woods and adjacent open spaces at a height 

 of some thirty feet with a slow, flapping and curiously owl -like 

 action. During this " roding " they utter a croaking " guroo- 

 guroo " associated with a sharp, chirping "ittic, ittic." Barks 

 and hisses when young are in danger. 



Breeding-habits. — Breeds in woodlands. Nest. — Hollow in moss 

 sometimes at foot of forest tree or sheltered by undergrowth, lined 

 dead leaves, etc. Eggs. — Normally 4, occasionally 5, while there are 

 records of 6 and even 8 eggs in one nest ; generally pyriform,. 

 yellowish-white, spotted and blotched with various shades of warm 

 brown and ashv shell-marks. White variety also on record. Average 

 of 100 eggs, 43.8x33.6. Max. : 49x34.8 and 44.9x36.4. Min. : 

 40.2 x34 and 43.1 X 31.6 mm. Breeding -season. — From mid-March 

 onward through April to June and even July. Incubation. — By female 

 only. Period 20 days (Evans) to 21 days. Two broods often reared. 



Food. — Earthworms ; also insects (coleoptera and their larvae, 

 orthoptera (Forficula) ; larvae of lepidoptera, etc.) ; small mollusca, 

 etc. Grains of maize recorded on one occasion in stomach, and 

 mussels {Mytilus), also said to be eaten, as well as small Crustacea. 



Distribution. — British Isles. — Resident ; ringing records indicate 

 that some English and Scottish bred birds are sedentary while 

 others migrate in autumn, chiefly to Ireland or southward, but 

 occasionally even northward and sometimes across Channel (two 

 French recoveries), while one bred in Ireland was found in Portugal. 

 Breeds most parts and increasingly ; in some years, as 1902, 1904 and 

 1908 in parts of Scotland in unusual numbers. Passage -migrant 

 (mid-March to early May and fourth week Sept. to first week Dec.)- 

 and winter-visitor. Weather -movements (Dec. -Feb.) frequent. 



Distribution. — Abroad. — Breeds in Europe from Scandinavia 

 and north Russia to Pyrenees, Alps and north Italy, Hungary and 

 northern part of Balkan peninsula, Madeira, Canaries and Azores ;. 



