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Birds. 
THE WOODCOCK, (Scolopax rusticola,) 
Is somewhat less than the partridge. The upper side 
of the body is party-coloured of red, black, and grey, 
and very beautiful. From the bill almost to the middle 
of the head it is of a reddish ash-colour. The lower 
part of the body is gre}', with transverse brown lines : 
under the tail the colour is somewhat yellowish ; the 
chin is white, with a tincture of yellow. Woodcocks are 
migratory birds, coming over into Britain in autumn, 
and departing again in the beginning of spring; they 
pair before they go, and are seen flying in braces. 
The colours of this timid bird render it difficult to 
discern him among the withered stalks and leaves of 
fern, sticks, moss, and grass, which form the background 
of the scenery, by which he is sheltered in his moist 
and solitary retreats. By habit only is the sportsman 
enabled to discover him, and his leading marks are the 
full eye and glossy silver white-tipped tail of the bird. 
The flesh is held in high estimation, and hence he is 
eagerly sought after. It is hardly necessary to observe 
that in dressing a Woodcock for the spit the entrails are 
not drawn, but are allowed to drop upon slices of toasted 
bread, and are relished as a delicious kind of sauce. 
By some late observations, it appears that several indi- 
viduals of the species remain with us the whole year. 
They frequent especially wet and swampy woods, the 
thick hedges near rivulets, and places affording them 
