BIRDS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 373 



fence generally consist in lying still. When suddenly start- 

 led, they fly in a zig-zag course, to elude the aim of the fowler, 

 and it is so difficult to shoot them, that they are most frequent- 

 ly caught in snares. Their food consisting of insects, ground 

 worms, and juicy roots, they grow fat, and are in great demand 

 for the table. Many epicures are said to eat the bird with all 

 that is in it when killed, making no selection ; but, inasmuch 

 as leeches are part of its fare, and are not considered luxurious 

 food for man, it is as well to eat this game with more discrimi- 

 nation, and less gastronomical taste. 



The American Woodcock, Rasticola minor, is a very com- 

 mon bird, but not often seen in the fields, except by sportsmen, 

 because of their nocturnal habits, in which they exceed the 

 snipe, hardly ever flying in the day time, and travelling and 

 feeding almost exclusively by night. They remain in woods 

 and thickets till evening, when they proceed to the broken soil 

 in search of worms and insects, and leave perforations made by 

 their bills in the soft ground, showing where they have been. 

 They have such delicacy of perception, by means of the bill, 

 that they make but little use of the eyes in feeding ; they 

 plunge their bills up to the nostrils, and suck up their prey. 

 The eyes of this bird are placed high, and far back in the 

 head, probably for the purpose of seeing enemies at a distance, 

 and watching their motions, without betraying the place where 

 it lies, by any movement on its own part. 



The woodcock returns from the south very early in the 

 spring, and soon after selects a breeding place in the woods, 

 Avhere the nest is set on the ground, and formed of dry grass 

 and leaves. The eggs are four, of a yellowish clay color, and 

 marked with blotches of purple and dark brown. The young 

 leave the nest as soon as hatched, but three or four weeks 

 elapse, before they are able to fly. During the time of incuba- 

 tion, the male rises in a spiral flight, after the manner of the 

 snipe, making a hurried sound as he ascends, which increases 

 as he descends, when it becomes loud and sweet. When he 

 touches the ground, he makes a bleating sound with a forward 



