130 BIRDS OF ONTARIO. 



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 clunn5 of weeds. 



Eggs, three or foTir, grayish-brown, marked with spots and lilotches of lilac 

 and chocolate. 



The Woodcock is a summer resident in Southern Ontario in 

 uncertain numbers, appearing al^out 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 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. 



Writing from Hamilton, I may say that this species seems to be 

 better known to the south and east of us than it is to the north and 

 west. Dr. Bell says : "I saw one specimen of the Woodcock in 

 August last at York Factory. This bird is not uncommon in 

 Manitoba, though the fact is not generally known." Other observers 

 in Manitoba report single birds having been procured at long inter- 

 vals, so that it must either be very scarce or seldom seen. 



Throughout the Eastern States it is more common, but is so highl}^ 

 prized as a game bird that it is persecuted wherever it is known to 

 exist. 



