"[From left to right:] Fusus Longissimus, Pearl Oyster and Coral, Volute, Thorny Woodcock." — Goodrich, 1859

Mollusca

"[From left to right:] Fusus Longissimus, Pearl Oyster and Coral, Volute, Thorny Woodcock." —…

The snipe does not live so solitary a life as the Woodcock; it is occasionally seen in flocks.

Snipe

The snipe does not live so solitary a life as the Woodcock; it is occasionally seen in flocks.

Woodcocks live in woods, and do not frequent the sea-shore or river-banks.

Woodcock

Woodcocks live in woods, and do not frequent the sea-shore or river-banks.

Woodcocks live in woods, and do not frequent the sea-shore or river-banks.

Woodcock

Woodcocks live in woods, and do not frequent the sea-shore or river-banks.

The name of several birds commonly classed in the same genus as the snipes, but having a more bulky body and shorter and stronger legs than the true snipes.

Woodcock

The name of several birds commonly classed in the same genus as the snipes, but having a more bulky…

The Woodcock from Thomas Bewick's wood engraving in 'The Water Birds.'

Woodcock

The Woodcock from Thomas Bewick's wood engraving in 'The Water Birds.'

"Scolopas rusticula, the well known Woodcock, brown, grey, and buff in color, with blackish vermiculations and blotches above and bars below, has two transverse buff stripes on the black hind-crown. It inhabits Northern and Central Europe and Asia-with Atlantic Islands and Japan." A. H. Evans, 1900

Woodcock

"Scolopas rusticula, the well known Woodcock, brown, grey, and buff in color, with blackish vermiculations…

The European woodcock averages about thirteen inches in length, and prefers to feed on earthworms. It is primarily a nocturnal bird.

European Woodcock

The European woodcock averages about thirteen inches in length, and prefers to feed on earthworms. It…

The woodcocks are a group of seven extant very similar wading bird species in the genus Scolopax, characterised by a long slender bill and cryptic brown and blackish plumage. Only two woodcocks are widespread, the others being localised island species. Their closest relatives are the typical snipes of the genus Gallinago (Thomas et al., 2004). These are woodland birds which feed at night or in the evenings, searching for invertebrates in soft ground with their long bills. Unlike in most birds the tip of the upper mandible is flexible. This habit and their unobtrusive plumage makes it difficult to see them when they are resting in the day. The tiny feathers that are located at the first joint of the woodcock's wings are referred to as "pin feathers" and these are much sought after by artists for fine painting work.

Young Woodcock

The woodcocks are a group of seven extant very similar wading bird species in the genus Scolopax, characterised…

"The shell of the thorny woodcock, <em>M. tribulus</em>, sometimes called <em>Venus's Comb</em>, is much prized by collectors, if in a perfect state; it is often very delicate and beautiful." &mdash; Goodrich, 1859

Thorny Woodcock

"The shell of the thorny woodcock, M. tribulus, sometimes called Venus's Comb, is…