The Woodcock a 
March, taking up its abode in boggy and swampy 
places surrounded by bushes. Being a nocturnal 
bird it remains in concealment during the day, coming 
forth towards evening in search of food, which it 
obtains by boring into the soft soil for larve and 
worms, or by turning over the dead leaves in search 
of insects. ‘The sensibility in the extremity of the bill 
is developed to a most remarkable degree; in fact, 
in obtaining its food the eyes of the bird are used 
scarcely at all. 
During the season of courtship in April the male 
indulges in a curious performance; this performance 
takes place occasionally in the morning, but more 
particularly in the evening, and consists of a spiral 
flight very similar to that of the lark. While the 
woodcock is ascending a feeble note is heard, but 
when descending the volume of the tone increases, 
and as he approaches the ground it assumes the 
character of a song; when he reaches the ground 
the song ceases, the bird giving utterance to a few 
deep guttural notes, not at all in keeping with the 
delightful aerial serenade. This performance 1s 
repeated several times during the evening. 
The nest is located on the ground near a swamp, 
though occasionally I have found one in a dry wood- 
land. Unlike most birds the woodcock spends very 
