FISHERIES, GAME AND FORESTS. 



323 



Adult ; Occiput with three transverse bands of black, alternating with three much 

 narrower ones of pale yellowish rufous ; upper parts of body variegated with pale 

 ashy, rufous, or yellowish red of various shades, and black ; large space on front and 

 throat reddish ashy ; line from the eye to the bill and another on the neck below the 

 eye brownish black ; entire under parts pale grayish rufous, brighter on the sides and 

 under wing-coverts; quills ashy brown; tail feathers brownish black, tipped with 

 ashy, darker on the upper surface, paler and frequently white on the under; bill light 

 brown, paler and yellowish at base ; legs pale brownish. 



Dozo/j' Young: General color light reddish buff, or isabella-color, uniform on the 

 lower surface. Line from bill to eye, a large, somewhat elliptical patch covering the 

 forehead and fore part of the crown, a patch on the occiput (connected with that on 

 the crown by a narrow isthmus), and a narrow mark behind the eye, with an oblique 

 one below it, very dark chestnut ; broad stripe down the rump, also dark chestnut ; 

 stripe down the nape, and various large blotches on the back, wings, etc., rather light 

 snuff-brown. Total length about 28 centimeters (11 inches); wing, 12 to 14.50 

 centimeters (4.80 to 5.70 inches); tail, 5.75 centimeters (2.25 inches); bill, 6.35 

 centimeters to 7.60 centimeters (2.50 to nearl\- 3.00 inches); tarsus, 3.20 centimeters 

 (1.23 inches) ; middle toe, 3.50 centimeters (1.37 inches). 



The generic name of this bird, " Philohela," comes from two Greek words, philos 

 (loving) and hetos (a bog), in allusion to its habit of frequenting swamps. The specific 

 name, " minor," refers to its size in comparison 

 with that of the I^uropean woodcock {Scolopax 

 rusticola). 



This bird is a summer resident in the State 

 of New York, breeding in suitable localities 

 throughout the state. It has been known to 

 remain at least once during the winter, in shel- 

 tered places in the southern part of the state. 

 In America this bird is found from the Gulf 

 to the British Provinces, and from the Atlantic 

 westward to the Great Plains. It breeds through- 

 out its entire range, but it is perhaps the most 

 erratic game bird we have, as it appears to 

 maintain at least a local movement for almost 

 each mc^nth of its summer residence. It arrives 

 in this state in March, and at once commences to 

 mate. As it flies through the air, it produces 

 a series of notes, probably its love-call, which 



SETTER HEAD. 



