93 
bulk of the wonderful flocks of Shore Birds that once thronged our shores. 
Breeding mostly far beyond the confines of cultivation the occupation of 
their nesting grounds by settlers has had only the slighest influence upon 
their numbers. The great reduction must be blamed upon indiscriminate 
shooting. As they fly in dense flocks they offer an easy target and eighty 
or more have been known to fall at one discharge of the gun, so that there is 
little wonder that they are now comparatively scarce. 
Economic Status. Either perfectly harmless or actively useful accord- 
ing to habitat. 
228. American Woodcock. FR.—LA BECASSE D’AMERIQUE. BECASSINE. Philo- 
hela minor. _L, 11. Plate VII B. 
Distinctions. Long bill (Figure 21, p. 21) and eyes situated high in the head, dead- 
Jeaf colours of underparts, and rich browns of back are distinctive. 
Field Marks. The bird’s habitat, combined with long bill, size, and coloration in 
rich brown and dead-leaf tints render it easily recognizable in life. 
Nesting. On ground amidst last year’s dead leaves, with which its plumage harmoni- 
zes so well. 
Distribution. Regularly in southern Ontario in the lower Great Lakes region, though 
occasional individuals straggle over a much wider range. 
Woodcocks haunt moist or wet shrubbery, alder or hazel thickets, or 
the tangled edges of damp woods. They spring suddenly from the ground 
on being disturbed, rise erratically on peculiarly whistling wings, and 
passing just over the tops of the underbrush drop suddenly into concealment 
again a few rods beyond. It is well within the memory of the present 
generation that the thickets of southern Ontario swarmed with Woodcock; 
but now, owing to unrestrained shooting, the drainage and clearing of 
waste lands, and perhaps the depredations of the domestic cat, the 
Woodcock is a scarce, almost a rare bird. Unlike the Ruffed Grouse or 
Partridge, which requires considerable and virgin ranges, there is no 
fundamental reason why the Woodcock should not remain plentiful 
and give abundance of sport for years to come. Almost any small 
retired covert of damp shrubbery will suffice for its needs. The 
Woodcock leaves for the south very shortly after the open season begins 
and is not long subject to legitimate shooting. Next to man the cat 
seems to be its principal enemy and as the Woodcock lives and nests on the 
ground trusting to protective coloration and hiding to avoid danger, it is 
peculiarly open to feline attack. 
230. Wilson’s Snipe. JACK SNIPE. SNIPE. FR.—LA BECASSINE DE WILSON. Gallin- 
ago delicata. L, 11-25. Plate VIIT A. 
Distinctions. Unlikely to be mistaken for any other species in Canada, but the reddish- 
brown tail, whitening on the outer feathers, and barred with black, will distinguish it if 
necessary. 
Field Marks. Habitat (open grassy meadows), long bill, peculiar cork-screw flight 
as it rises, combined with size, general coloration, and reddish-brown and whitish tail. 
The Woodcock and the Dowitcher, are the only other similar birds. 
Distribution. Breeds across the continent, coming just within the bounds of culti- 
vation and irregularly to our southern borders. Common throughout the Dominion. 
231. Dowitcher. RED-BREASTED SNIPE, ROBIN SNIPE. FR.—LA BECASSINE ROUSSE. 
Macrorhamphus griseus. L, 10-50. Spring adult—throat, foreneck, breast, and all under- 
parts strongly reddish. Back and upperparts variegated with shades of same and dark 
brown. Autumn plumage dull greyish-brown on head, neck, upper breast, flanks, and back, 
variegated with browner on the latter; white below. Lower back always white. Interme- 
diates of all above plumages occur. 
57172—7} 
