BIRDS OF 



'Family SCOLOPACIDiE. Snipes, Sandpipers, etc. 



Genus PHILOMELA Gray. 



85. PHILOMELA MINOR (Gmel.). 228. 



American Woodcock. 



Above variegated and harmoniously blended black, brown, gra^ and 

 russet ; below pale warm brown of variable shade. Length, male, lo-ii ; 

 female, 11-12 ; extent, 16-18 ; wing, 4^-5 ; bill, 2J-3 ; tarsus, ij ; middle toe 

 and claw, ij ; weight, 5-9 ounces. 



Hab. Eastern Province of North America, north to the British 

 Provinces, west to Dakota, Kansas, etc. ; breeding throughout its range. No 

 extralimital records. 



The nest, which is composed of a few dead leaves, is usually placed at 

 the root of a tree, or in a clump of weeds. 



Eggs 3 to 4 ; grayish-brown marked with spots and blotches of lilac and 

 chocolate. 



The Woodcock is a summer resident in Southern Ontario in 

 uncertain numbers, appearing about the time the snow is going 

 out of sight. In the fall it is much sought after by sportsmen 

 with varying success. Occasionally good bags are made but in 

 this respect no two seasons are alike. The fall of 1885 was one 

 of the poor seasons, very few being obtained. 



The birds seem to be paired on their arrival in spring, and 

 at once select a site for the nest, which is usually placed in dense 

 woods or swampy thickets ; when the breeding season is over 

 they change their places of resort and are often found in corn 

 fields, orchards, and moist places where they feed mostly during 

 the night. They remain as long as the ground is soft enough 

 for them to probe, after which they retire to the south. 



Genus GALLINAGO Leach. 

 86. GALLINAGO DELICATA (Ord). 230. 



Wilson's Snipe. 



Crown black with a pale middle stripe ; back varied with black, bright 

 bay and tawny, the latter forming two lengthwise stripes on the scapulars ; 

 neck and breast speckled with brown and dusky ; lining of wings barred with 

 black and white ; tail usually of i6 feathers, barred with black, white and 



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