Intimate Acquaintance With Woodcocks 5 



the performance begins. 1 kuoAV every foot of the ground, 

 but before stationing ourselves for the occasion several con- 

 ditions are to be taken into consideration. If there is any 

 moon we want to be in full sight of it, and if possible let us 

 get on the windward side of the bird. The woodcock, like 

 his relative the jack-snipe, is sure to leap into the wind as he 

 starts to fly. 



Twice a woodcock has flown before us in a noiseless man- 

 ner. The wing motion consisted of half strokes only, and the 

 course was horizontal and only moderately rapid. These two 

 flights were very similar to those of the Upland Plover. 

 Those who have seen the graceful Bartramian will recall that 

 the wing stroke is comparatively short and rapid. I have 

 never seen this flight of the woodcock described by other 

 observers, but on such occasions the wing is highly concave, 

 and only the tips seem to extend below the level of the body 

 during any part of the stroke. This method of navigation is 

 an abrupt contrast to the jerky, zig-zag flight used by the 

 birds as they arise from cover when disturbed or flushed. 

 Occasionally on wet April days I have witnessed this silent 

 flight of the woodcock. It is apparently used when they are 

 flying to and from their feeding grounds, and it is not improb- 

 able that the same flight is maintained by the birds during 

 their protracted journeys while migrating. 



The third and most interesting form of locomotion imme- 

 diately follows an emphatic "pink." The wing beats are so 

 rapid it is impossible to distinguish them, as the bird pro- 

 gresses slowly in a circular course. The distinct whistle from 

 the edged primaries of a flushed bird is entirely different 

 from the sound we now hear. This same woodcock passes 

 before us so like a great hummingbird, but the circles he 

 makes in the air are growing less in circumference as he rises 

 spiral like against the yellow rays of the moon. A series of 

 gushing, warbling notes issue from his throat. A remarkable 

 vocal demonstration for such a droll looking bird. The 

 buzzing of the wings have ceased. The bird is three hundred 

 feet above and the apex of his flight has been reached. The 

 song ceases and the performer volplanes silently to the same 



