WOODCOCK. 



The woodcock is one of the hardest game birds to hunt. He weighs 

 from four to six and a half ounces, is of a golden color, with a large 

 head and an ear that you could stick a lead pencil into. He is a sharp 

 fellow, knows when you are after him, and is very tricky. He lives in 

 timber swamps and about springy places the year around. 



When in search of food the woodcock will go along in wet places 

 and turn the right side of his head to the ground and listen to any 

 noise which he may hear from under the surface of the ground. When 

 he locates it he turns his head to the side again to make sure, and 

 then puts the point of his two and a half inch bill on the ground and 

 works it, making a sound like boring a hole in a board. When he gets 

 started, he holds his bill in the ground, drawing his body close, then 

 flutters his wings, which helps him to drive his bill down. He stands 

 still a minute, and then proceeds to pull out a worm; this is the com- 

 mon fish worm and is his main food, 



A good way to hunt woodcock is to hang a couple of bells on your 



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