THE WOODCOCK 



THE WOODCOCK. 



Scolopax rusticula, Linnaeus. 

 Plate 65. 



The Woodcock, at one time considered to be chiefly a winter visitor, breeding 

 rather rarely in the British Islands, is now known to nest regularly and in increas- 

 ing numbers in favourable localities in many parts of the three kingdoms, though 

 the majority of the birds found here, from October onwards until spring, have un- 

 doubtedly travelled from overseas. Our home-bred Woodcocks and their parents 

 disappear early in September, and whither these birds go seems to be unknown. 

 Howard Saunders considered {Manual of British Birds, 2nd ed. p. 569) that "their 

 disappearance is partially attributable to self-effacement during the moult, for many 

 birds which had been captured and marked with metal rings in the spring in 

 Northumberland, have been shot in the same county in autumn." 



In the breeding season the Woodcock has a very extensive range over Europe 

 and Asia, from the Arctic Circle southwards to the Pyrenees and Himalayas, and 

 eastwards to Japan, whilst in winter numbers migrate to the countries on both 

 sides of the Mediterranean and Southern Asia. 



Very early in the year, generally about the middle of March, the Woodcock lays 

 her four eggs within the shelter of some dry coppice or similar cover, the nest 

 being merely a slight depression in the ground among withered leaves or bracken, 

 which form a lining. In colour the eggs are pale yellowish-buff, blotched and 

 spotted with shades of reddish-brown and grey. The young, which are able to run 

 soon after being hatched, are often carried by the mother to and from their feeding- 

 grounds in marshy places, and sometimes are caught up and removed to a place of 

 safety when in danger. There has been much difference of opinion as to how this 

 singular action is carried out, and I have never had an opportunity of witnessing 

 it myself, but from the evidence of competent observers it appears that the nestling 

 is usually carried clasped by the feet of the parent bird. 



St. John, in his Wild Sports and Natural History of the Highlands, p. 264 

 (ed. 1878), says, " In the woods of Altyre and Darnaway (as well as in all the other 

 extensive plantations in the country), during the whole spring and summer, I see 

 the Woodcocks flying to and fro every evening in considerable numbers. As early 

 as six or seven o'clock they begin to fly, uttering their curious cry, which resembles 

 more the croak of a frog than anything else, varied, however, by a short shrill chirp. 

 Down the shaded course of the river, or through the avenues and glades of the 



IV. 25 D 



