192 WADING BIRDS. 



The only specimen yet known, was killed on the banks of the 

 Columbia, in Oregon, by Mr. Douglass, whose name it bears. The 

 total length was 11^ inches ; of the wing 5 inches ; the tarsus 1 inch 

 3^ lines. 



WOODCOCKS. (RusTicoLA, Vieill. Savi.) 



In this tribe of birds, the bill is nearly similar with that of the 

 Snipe, but more robust, with the extremity attenuated and not de- 

 pressed ; the Tinder mandible is also deeply grooved beneath. The 

 eyes are placed very far back in the head, which last is rather quad- 

 rate than round. Legs robust, short, and wholly feathered to the 

 knees, tarsus shorter than the middle toe ; the toes cleft from the very 

 base, and the hind nail truncated, and not projecting over the toe. 

 The 1st or 4th primary longest. Tail of 12 feathers. 



The female larger, and the young similar with the adult. The 

 plumage undergoes no change with the moult ; its general colors 

 are a mixture, often intimate, of black, rufous and cinereous. 



These are solitary birds, or only associating by pairs or families in 

 the breeding season. They dwell habitually in forests both in the 

 plains and mountains, and frequent shady swamps and thickets ; but 

 seldom appear in open grounds. From the greater strength of 

 tlieir less sensitive bills, they are enabled to bore in drier ground 

 than the Snipes, and use this organ often in turning overi;he fallen 

 leaves and withered grass, in quest of their insect prey. They tend 

 their young with great assiduity, conveying them from danger even 

 by sometimes carrying them on their backs, or in their claws. Their 

 flight is low and direct, accompanied by a whizzing sound, from the 

 labor attending upon it. Although there are but two species known, 

 in either continent, yet they are spread over the whole earth. 



Subgenus. — *Microptera, (Rusttcola. Bonop.) 



The head more rounded than quadrate. The wings short, and the 

 3 first primaries very narrow and graduated, the 4th and 5th being 

 longest. Leffs less robust, and the hind toe nail slightly projecting 

 over the extremity of the toe. 



