woodcock

[A. S. wuducoc. ] 1. Ornith.: Scolopax rusticula (the rusticola of Linnæus is a mis script; cf. Pliny : N. H. , x. 54, in some editions 38); distributed over Europe, the north of Asia, and as far East as Japan, visiting Europe in October and departing in March, though some remain to breed, and the number is yearly increasing. The woodcock is about thirteen inches long; upper surface varied with ruddy, yellowish, and ash tints, and marked with great black spots; lower parts yellowish-red with brown zigzags; quills striped with red and black on their external barbs, tail-feathers terminated above with gray and below with white. The female is rather larger and stouter than the male. One of the most interesting traits about the Woodcock is the fact of its occasionally conveying its young through the air; which is done by only one or two other birds. The fact 2. Figuratively : (1) Stiff, ungainly, clumsy, awkward. "When a bold man is out of countenance, he makes a very wooden figure on it." -Collier : On Confidence. (2) Spiritle , expre ionle . (See extract under WOODENNESS.)