On the North- American Woodcock. 69 



of the Woodcock (Scolopax Rusticola. L.J^ This en- 

 tertaining fact was unknown to me, until mentioned 

 by Mr. Milligan; and I was highly diverted with the 

 singular and animated wooings of the male. His spi- 

 ral flights were frequent, vociferous, and repeated with 

 empassioned agitation, until the female came flitting 

 towards him, and, in a modest tone, chattering con- 

 sent. 



It is a generally-received opinion, that " the return 

 of the sexual passion, among birds, is announced by 

 the frequency, loudness, and variety, of their notes : 

 hence M. BuflPon concludes, that there is, in these ani- 

 mals, a strong connection between the organs of gene, 

 ration and those of the voice; and that the delightful 

 harmony of the grove, so much admired by man, is the 

 natural expression of their loves. The language of 

 the male, in this season of enjoyment, is most loud 

 and copious : to his calls of allurement,, the female ex- 

 presses her assent in more feeble and interrupted 

 notes." 



The grallae being monogamous, accounts for the ar- 

 dour of the male, and the hesitating modesty of the 

 female, woodcock. The bargain, for the season, re- 

 quires more deliberation than the transitory loves of 

 gallinaceous profligates. 



Yours, &c. 



John Vaughan.. 



Wilmington, June \2th, 1805. 



