PLATE CCVTIL 



Woodcock. Raj. av.p. 104. n. I. 



?F/7/. Orw. p. 289. 53. 



Jtbin. av. i. 70. 



XflfV/. Gen. Syn. in. 1. p. 129' U 



The Woodcock in its ordinary (late of plumage is a bird familiar 

 to every one. The variety we have fele&ed for representation is very 

 far from common : there are two or three other known varieties, in 

 one of which an uniform cream or pale buff colour pervades the whole 

 plumage ; and another is wholly white. Our prefent variety is of the 

 pied kind partly buff, and partly pure white; the buff marked with 

 fufcous. 



Thefe varieties are about the iize of the Woodcock in its ufual ftate 

 of plumage, the length being fifteen inches. 



The Woodcock comes into England during the winter feafon, ap- 

 pearing firft about October, in November, and December or January. 

 Never arriving in flights, but ltraggling individuals, or fome few in 

 pairs, and chiefly in the evening or very hazy weather. They are 

 obferved to penetrate inland as soon as they arrive. 



Thefe birds inhabit northern countries, as Sweden, Ruffia, as far as 

 Kamtfchatka ; breeding in the northern regions during fummer, and 

 like many other birds of the migratory kind who pafs the fummer to- 

 wards the polar climes, retire fouthward as the winter becomes fevere. 

 In their migrations from the north, they vifit the more fouthern parts of 

 Europe, and proceed as far as the temperate parts of Africa and Afia. 



That 



