OF NEW ENGLAND. 401 



most any definition of this term, is generally understood to be 

 a bird that lies to a dog, and that can be shot only when on the 

 wing. This definition, however, excludes, and we think rightly, 

 the "Partridge" or Ruffed Grouse, Avho will not lie to a dog, but 

 who on the contrary often takes to a tree, thus causing to the 

 scientific sportsman constant annoyance. But the Woodcock is 

 par excellence a game-l)ird, and, thougli he may play in a game 

 of life and death to him, he adheres as scrupulously to rules of 

 honor as any Knight-Errant of old. He may have his cunning 

 devices, but he does not sneak or hide in trees. This conduct, 

 however, finds no corresponding sentiment in his rapacious and 

 improvident pursuer, to whose reckless cravings for sport or 

 gain, we in New England are indel)ted for the present scarcity 

 of the luscious Woodcock. Unless the laws, and general feel- 

 ings on the subject, are greatly modified, comparatively few 

 more years will suffice to nearly exterminate them. 



The Woodcock are almost universally distributed over North 

 America, both as residents and birds of passage. We shall 

 speak here of their habits in New England only. Though a 

 friend once showed the writer a record of one or more Wood- 

 cock killed in Massachusetts during every month of the year, 

 these birds are migratory, and, though apparently often soli- 

 tary in their flights, find their way, by an admirable instinct, 

 through " the illimitable waste of air," at least as far as from 

 Labrador to Maryland. Many breed in the Southern States, 

 even as far South as the Gulf, while others breed to the north- 

 ward of Canada ; but all pass the winter in the South, their 

 northern range at that season being, it is believed, Maryland. 

 They reach the neighborhood of Boston as early as March, and 

 then, or more often early in April, they may be found on those 

 dry hillsides, which were their last resorts in autumn. Almost 

 immediately after their arrival, they begin to mate, and they 

 may be observed in the dusk of evening to mount high in the 

 air, going through a variety of eccentric motions, and from 

 time to time darting suddenly down with great velocity. The 

 eggs are laid early in April, sometimes on a warm knoll, some- 

 times on a high, bare hillside. After incubation has begun, it 

 27 



