This rpecies varies much In colour and fize ; our figure 
reprefents the ufual colour, but they are found much deeper, 
as well as paler coloured, and fometimes quite white ; it ge- 
nerally appears in this country the latter end of September or 
bes;inning of Odober, but'is not ufually met vv^ith in abundance 
till towards the end of November ; w^e noticed three expofed 
for fale in Leadenhall-Market during the firfl week of the 
prefent month, O6lober. 
The Woodcock but rarely breeds with us, though now and; 
then fuch an inftance occurs. Mr. Bullock has in his col- 
le6lion a young one taken in Suffolk ; there were two birds 
in the neft, but one efcaped ; the young are covered with a 
thick down or fur, which round the neck is very long and 
pendant ; at firft fight the young bird has much the appear- 
ance of a Bittern in minature, as its bill is long in proportion 
to its fize. The Woodcock lays four eggs of a grey colour, 
marked with afh coloured and brown fpots ; thofe we have 
examined from the fame neft are very different in their 
markings, in fome the fpots are fo confluent, that they 
fhould rather be faid to be blotched whh dulky white ; the 
neft is ufually placed in a thick coppice, immediately op- 
pofite fome little break, its form and texture is very loofe, 
it is compofed of dry grafs and fibres, with a few decayed 
leaves placed at the bottom ; the young run as foon as ex- 
cluded, but the parents continue their attention till they are, 
quite able to provide for themfelves. 
On its firft arrival, this bird remains on the coafl: for a day 
ortv/o to recruit its ftrength, and then returns to its favourite 
haunts of the preceding year ^ when firft roufed its flight is 
fome- 
