THE WOODCOCK. 
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it is the smallest of Britisli Snipes, measuring about eight 
inches and a half. Although not so numerous as to be a 
common bird with us, yet it is by no means very rare, 
being generally dispersed throughout Britain from the 
beginning of October until the end of March. 
There are several other British birds, which are often 
called Snipes, such as the Brown Snipe, described under 
the head of the Grey Longbeak ; but they belong to dif- 
ferent families, and are therefore described elsewhere. 
AYOODCOCK. 
The Woodcock (Scolopax Rusticola). — The Woodcocks 
have generally fuller bodies than the Snipes, are larger 
birds altogether, and their habits are, although essentially 
similar, yet different in some respects. They inhabit marshy 
places, moors, and woods ; rest for the most part by day, 
and seek their food by night, in the same manner as, the 
Snipes, by thrusting their long bills into the mud or soft 
earth. The above-named species is the only one of the 
genus known as a British bird ; it is chiefly a winter visi- 
tant, considerable flocks reaching our shores about the end 
of September, and distributing themselves thence over the 
inland country. The females are the first to arrive, and 
they are followed in a few days by the males, 
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