808 
SCOLOPAX EUSTICULA. 
the tip ; aud the latter are probably the older examples. The plain white border exists irrespective of sex, 
although I am inclined to think that it is more highly developed in females than in the other sex. 
Ihe little American W oodcock, Scohpax minor, in which the wing measures 5-0 inches and the bill at front 2-4 to 
2 - 5 , differs chiefly in having a plain under surface, which is dusky buff, and rufous on the flanks ; the occiput and 
nape are black with two bands, as in the present species. Scolopax satwrata, Horsfield, is a Javan species aud 
very rare, and in size it is intermediate ; “ the breast and abdomen are sooty black, with irregular dusky bands.” 
The wing in a specimen in the Leyden Museum measui’es 5-8, bill in front 3 - 0. S. rochussenii, the Icing of the 
genus, is another very local species from Ternate —black above, buff beneath, and beautifully marked with the 
same above. An example in Mr. TIarting's collection measures — wing 8 - 0 inches, bill 3-7. 
Distribution. — The Woodcock has long been said to be an occasional visitor to the hills of Ceylon, 
but until lately no specimen had ever been preserved. Kelaart first noticed its occurrence as follows : — 
“The Woodcock, the same as the European species, is found on Horton Plains, and occasionally at Nuwara 
Eliya. We have not seen the bird in its feathers, but we have seen a couple of birds called ‘ Woodcocks ’ 
at a dinner-table which tasted uncommonly like the birds of that name. We have no doubt of its existence 
in the island, as several English sportsmen assured us of their having shot it.” Layard, who did not collect 
in the upper hills, had no opportunity of meeting with it ; and Mr. Holdsworth, who spent much time at 
Nuwara Eliya while he was in the island, never came across it. In February 1876 a well-known Ceylon 
sportsman, Mr. Frank Fisher, of the Civil Service, shot a fine example at Nuwara Eliya, news of which 
reached Mr. Holdsworth in time for insertion in his catalogue. This bird was fortunately preserved, and is 
the subject of the above description. In January 1877 a second specimen was shot in the Hakgala Gardens 
by the superintendent, Mr. Thwaites. It frequented the locality for some little time previous to its being 
killed, and appeared to have taken up its quarters there. 
It is not improbable that a few birds stray over to Ceylon every year from the hills of Southern India, 
but they escape notice owing to the jungly nature of the country. I worked the ground at Horton Plains 
thoroughly at the same time that the last-named bird was shot, but saw no sign of a 'Woodcock. It should 
be looked for from November until February. 
In India the Woodcock is a migrant of only local distribution. Jerdon gives us the most complete 
note concerning it yet published, which is as follows: — “The Woodcock is a winter visitant to the more 
elevated wooded regions of India, the Himalayas, the Nilghiris, the Pulneys, Shervaroys, Coorg, and doubtless 
all the higher ranges of Southern India. During its periodical migrations individuals are occasionally killed 
in various parts of the country. Several were procured in the Calcutta market by Blytli. I have heard of 
its having been at least once obtained in the Madras market ; and various other instances of its having been 
procured in different parts of the country have come to my knowledge, viz. at Chittagong, Berhampore, 
Roacolly, Tipperah, Dacca, Masulipatam, &c. The Woodcock is late in arriving, generally not appearing 
before the middle of October, and usually later ; it leaves in February.” Scarcely any data concerning its 
occurrence in Southern India, of late years, is to hand. The Rev. Dr. Fairbaulc is the sole writer who 
notices it in ‘ Stray Feathers/ and remarks : — “I flushed a Woodcock in the Kodaikanal in 1867, Afterwards 
one was obtained there by Mr. Levinge ; but they are certainly rare in the Palanis.” These are the most 
southerly ranges in the Peninsula, save the Travaucore hills ; and as they are so rare in them it is not likely 
that they would be plentiful in Ceylon. On the southern slopes of the Himalayas it is a resident bird 
breeding there in many localities. Mr. Brooks met with one in the valley of the Bhagarati ; and my late 
friend, Mr. A. Anderson, found a nest with four eggs at 10,000 feet elevation, near Namick, in Upper 
Kumaon. Mr. Wilson (better known as “ Mountaineer”) likewise obtained its nest at Gangaotri, and Captain 
Duff at Kullu ( Hume ) . Captain Butler procured it in Sindh, about two miles from Karachi, in November 
1877, and he records the fact of Mr. James meeting with it in the North-Canara jungles. Two individuals 
were also killed by Col. W. Peyton and Mr. J. S. Laird in December 1877, near Belgaum. These stray birds 
are picked up during their migration j and Mr. Hume remarks that there is scarcely a district in India from 
which he has not some record of their occurrence, and that at such unlikely places as Allyghur, Booludshur, 
Agra, C awn pore, &c. single individuals have occurred. Mr. Ball records it from Raipur. On the Burmah 
side of the Bay it is rare. Col. Brown procured one at Moulmein; and Mr. H. B. Davidson, superintendent 
of police, shot one near Rangoon and another near Tavoy in Tenasserim. Mr. Hume, who notes these 
