BIRDS IN THE CALENDAR 
bird's manner of digging for its food in the 
ooze. The long bill is exceedingly sensitive 
at the tip, and in all probability, by the aid 
of a tactile sense more highly developed than 
any other in our acquaintance, this organ 
conveys to its owner the whereabouts of 
worms wriggling silently down out of harm's 
way. On first reaching Britain, the woodcock 
remains for a few days on the seashore to 
recover from its crossing, and at this time of 
rest it trips over the wet sand, generally in 
the gloaming, and picks up shrimps and such 
other soft food as is uncovered between tidal 
marks. It is not among the easiest of birds 
to keep for any length of time in captivity, 
but if due attention be paid to its somewhat 
difficult requirements in the way of suitable 
food, success is not unattainable. On the 
whole, bread and milk has been found the 
best artificial substitute for its natural diet. 
With the kiwi of New Zealand, a bird not 
even distantly related to the woodcock, and 
a cousin rather of the ostrich, but equipped 
with much the same kind of bill as the subject 
of these remarks, an even closer imitation of 
the natural food has been found possible in 
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