THE WOODCOCK 215 



dusk spreads over the woods and the shadows deepen under 

 the trees, he rises from his warm corner amongst the long 

 grass and dead leaves, and flies slowly off to his feeding 

 grounds. Sometimes these are a considerable distance from 

 his day retreat ; at other times he cowers amongst the herbage 

 by the side of the stream or swamp in wdiich he feeds. On 

 the bright moonlight nights you may perchance be fortunate 

 enough to see him wandering about in the open searching for 

 w^orms, probing the ground wdth his long beak. He looks 

 unusually large in the uncertain light, and appears to be 

 intently listening every few moments, as if constantly on the 

 alert for danger. He w^alks about or runs along the pond- 

 side in Snipe-like style, and as his appetite is large he is very 

 easer in his search for food. Earth-worms are the Wood- 

 cock's favourite and almost exclusive food, but the bird also 

 eats beetles and other insects. 



Few^ birds are more solitary in their habits than the 

 Woodcock. It is perhaps most sociable during the periods 

 of migration, but then its gatherings are greatly influenced by 

 a common purpose, and as soon as the journey is over each 

 bird seems to set off to its own particular haunt. One is apt 

 to feel perplexed at the solitary habits of the Snipes wdien 

 w^e know their relations, the Sandpipers and Plovers, are so 

 gregarious ; but doubtless their conspicuous plumage in the 

 open and, consequently, their skulking habits are the cause. 

 It is a curious fact that the Snipes and the Woodcocks never 

 change the colour of their plumage in winter, from the 

 beautiful brown and yellow dress of summer to one of grayer 

 tints, as the Sandpipers and most of the Plovers do. But w^e 

 know that these Snipes never change the character of their 

 haunt ; they ahvays live amongst dense vegetation, wdiere 

 their brown mottled dress is least conspicuous. They never 

 visit the muddy coasts or shining sands, because there their 

 plumage would readily betray them to enemies. When the 



