PLATE CCVIII V 



That the Woodcock breeds in England has been authenticated 

 upon the beft authority in many inftances : we have ourfelves both 

 eggs and young produced in England. Thefe are, however, acci- 

 dental circumftances, for it is clearly afcertained the Woodcock breeds 

 more northward than the Britifh ifles. In warm countries inhabiting 

 the plains only in winter, and retiring to the higher hills during 

 fummer. 



The flefti of the Woodcock is delicious, and in much requeft for 

 the table of the epicure ; nor need it be added, that their entrails are 

 never drawn : the prevailing opinion is, that this is unneceffary as 

 they live by <e fusion they fubfift entirely on infects and the nutri- 

 tious juices they extract from the various fnails, worms, and other 

 limilar food ; and the trail itfelf, as it is ufually termed, is ferved up 

 at table with the bird. 



The neft, one of which is in our poffeffion, confifts merely of a few 

 withered leaves, and fibres laid loofely upon the bare turf or ground ; 

 ufually fome fpot of earth fele&ed clofe to the ftump of an old tree, 

 The eggs four or five in number> the flze of a pigeon's egg, of a greyifii 

 colour, with du&y blotches. 



•otwriiouft *dt etsiiotiw bate pvieri%>;«i re - ! 



\o ebfiq mswliuoii aiom sill iifr-v yprfl Ainon m*ni uh,;^; > al 



»«*A feu* fiziiih 'io elwj Tttmaqwtfr m Nfl n| hm &q?wH 



Vol. IX. E PLATE 



