354 



CITIZEN BIRD 



cried Rap, unable to keep still any longer. " I saw 

 a pair of them doing it this year, when I was out with 

 the miller, looking for his colt that had strayed into 

 the big Avoods beyond the pond. He said he knew 

 there must be a Woodcock about, because he saw the 

 little round holes in the mud, where they had been 

 boring for earthworms, and that is the way he knows 

 where to find them in the fall when he wants to go 



hunting." 



es, but how did they 

 dance ? " persisted 

 Dodo. 



-Oh! like 

 crazy things 

 with wings I 

 First one ran 

 around a little 

 and whistled ; 

 tlien one jumped 



right off into the 



American Woodcock. 



air. 



making 



whirring 



a 

 with 



his wings until he was way up out of sight, and then 

 after a little while he came pitching down zig-zag, like 

 a kite that has lost its tail, Avhistling something 

 like the way a Swallow twitters, and making a queer 

 twanging noise. The other one stayed on the ground 

 and jigged about all the time. I would have liked 

 to watch longer, but we had to find the colt, you 

 know." 



" Now write your tables," said the Doctor, " for it is 

 nearly dinner-time." 



