WOODCOCK. 
5 
decomposition having set in, the eause of death remained undiseovered ; there couid he little doubt, however, that 
the want of rain and the tropical heat of tlie midday sun had dried up all their haunts. During the whole of 
that season I was engaged in making observations on the hal)its of this species ; and on one oceasion, while 
discussing the matter Avith a forester Avho had met with many oj)portunities for Avatching the 
birds, the man remai’ked, “ If the Cocks can move their young, as you declare, Avhy do they alloAV them to die in 
the AA’oods AA'hen the flats on the Ioav ground are still moist? ” 
The plumage of the M oodcock differs considerably with the seasons, the colouiang being more vnried in 
summer, a AA'arm red-brown intermixed here and there Avith a cream tint taking the place of the dull brown 
and grey exhibited in Avinter. A lengthened description of the plumage, hoAA^ever, is needless, as the figures in 
the Plates were taken from specimens procured at each season. 
In Plate I. a female shot on the 9th of J une 18G9, near Tain, is represented with her three eggs. The male 
A\as closely examined both on AAing and AA'lien motionless at a fcAV yards distance, and his plumage having been 
ascertained to resemble that of his mate in every particular, further slaughter Avas unnecessary. The female 
pioAed exceedingly tame scAeral times I had passed her AA’ithin a feAV yaixls, and when at last approaching in 
order to obtain a shot, it AA'as not till a keeper had placed his hand below her that she coAild he induced to rise 
on Aving. liom notes taken on several oecasions, I am inclined to believe that the second laying rarely 
consists of more than three eggs. 
A eouple cf Woodcocks obtained in Glenlyon, in the west of Perthshire, in November 18G7, are depicted 
in Plate II. Having frequently examined fresh-killed specimens at this season, I am of opinion that there is 
little difference in the plumage of males and females. 
