THe WoopDcocKk. 41 
for the production of their sustenance, and have therefore moved 
on. For many years it was popularly supposed that woodcock 
lived by suction, and Byron wrote :— 
‘‘ Ror man is a carnivorous production, 
And must have meals, at least one meal a day; 
He cannot live like woodcock upon suction.”’ 
‘This erstwhile belief is erroneous. The woodcock’s food con- 
sists mainly of worms, or failing these small mollusca. It feeds 
usually during the night, repairing to its sheltered covert, often 
a mile or more from its feeding grounds, at earliest dawn. The 
tip of the woodcock’s bill is one mass of nerves, and is therefore 
sensitive in the highest degree. By burying it into the soft 
ground, often right up to the nostrils, the woodcock is able to 
detect the movement of any worm that may be concealed in the 
oozy mud below. The tip of the upper mandible being broad 
and raised and longer than the lower, enables the bird to seize 
his prey with satisfactory certainty by very slightly opening the 
further end. of his bill and without withdrawing it from the 
ground. The “borings ’’ made by the woodcock while so feed- 
ing are often noticed, and are always near water. This latter is 
imperative so that the bird may be able to keep his bill free from 
mud. A woodcock kept in captivity, and given fresh sods and 
‘bread and milk in which to probe, was noticed to constantly 
make use of a dish of water placed in his aviary, so as to keep 
his bill clean. This year there has been considerable discussion 
‘in the press as regards the position of the woodcock’s ear. To 
Mr Whymper is due the discovery that the aperture is below 
‘the level of and in front of the eye. Woodcock have been seen 
‘to perch on trees, and also when on migration on the rigging of 
ships. They have also been recorded as alighting on water, 
‘from which after a few moments’ rest they rose again, apparently 
with ease. From a “ gourmet’s’’ point of view this bird shares 
with the partridge the highest place in his estimation. 
Willughby, writing in 1678, quotes the couplet :— 
“Tf the partridge had the woodcock’s thigh, 
’Twould be the best bird that ever did fly.” 
In 1903 Alexander Innes Shand, the cookery expert, 
waxes almost poetical when writing of “The wedding of 
‘the truffle with the woodcock.’’? The best woodcock shooting in 
