BIRDS. 



313 



We have seen that the old Statistical Account spoke of the pro- 

 bable nesting of the Woodcock in Dowally parish prior to 1798. 



We then find that Yarrell records information which he quotes 

 from the Mag. of Nat. Hist., viz. that in 1837 old birds were seen 

 carrying young ones ; as well as other accounts of their nesting in 

 other parts of Scotland in his 1st edition, vol. ii. p. 591. About the 

 same time — in Moray — two nests were found in 1837 ; and in 

 Dee, at Castle Forbes; and he quotes the facts brought forward by 

 Sir Francis Mackenzie, Bart.^ of their breeding at Conon, which I 

 have referred to in the last volume of this series. 



Woodcocks appear to be subject to considerable fluctuations in 

 the numbers reaching this country, or otherwise select very different 

 routes in some seasons from those selected in others — as, I think, 

 there are abundant statistics to show, if these statistics be carefully 

 compared year with year. Thus, in 1878-9 there was a general 

 scarcity complained of in many parts of Perth and elsewhere outside 

 of Tay. At Ochtertyre, where from forty to fifty are usually obtained, 

 only five were shot there that season {Jide Mr. Hugh Miller of 

 Westerton). This is only one of many similar accounts which have 

 reached me. 



In 1896 Mr. Milne quotes it as resident in the north-east, and as 

 having bred in the woods of Drumtochty and Monboddo, whence 

 he obtained eggs as great rarities then ! Since that time he has 

 described the actions of the old birds when carrying the young, from 

 observations made by himself, and as have been described many 

 times by others. 



Woodcocks breed in Rannoch, but not, says Godfrey, abundantly, 

 "only sparingly" by 1901 ; and a few also "breed about Edinample 

 and the west end of Loch Earn" (Godfrey). They may be seen 

 "roding" over the "birch-braes" far up the Tummel, as I have 

 myself -witnessed. 



The late Rev. H. A. Macpherson has described the "roding" of 

 Woodcocks at some length, as observed by himself in the Tay valley, 

 which I cannot refrain from quoting fully later on. These notes 

 date May 16, 1900. 



By 1901 evidence is decidedly forthcoming of a distinct south- 

 ward movement in hulk of Woodcocks in the nesting season, and late 



statistics in Clyde, and "plotted " the results upon a large scale map. Writing here 

 from memory, I think I am correct in saying they had returns of some sixty nests on 

 one estate to the south-west of Dumbartonshire, and forty -five upon another adjoining. 

 This was in 1904. 



