THE WOODCOCK. 89 



the fattest, freshest worms, what bog contains the 

 choicest loam, and by their borings leave for us, other- 

 wise unsophisticated in woodcock logic, indications of 

 their presence. 



I know of bogs, meadows, fens, and alder-covers that 

 topographically, and from all evidence gained by man in 

 general, are seemingly as worthy of a woodcock's choice 

 as those wherein they dwell and feed, but, for all that, are 

 never inhabited by these long-billed birds. No matter 

 how favorable such grounds may seem to the casual 

 observer, they contain none of the worms and larvae upon 

 which woodcock feed; and such grounds, upon a careful 

 examination, will be found to be either sandy or so hard 

 that woodcock supplies can not exist, or else sour and 

 rank, as the growth of grass may indicate. I know of a 

 favorite cover, through which a tiny brook picks its 

 course, whose waters are strongly tainted with iron, and 

 yet woodcock bore upon its banks, and are amply 

 rewarded for their labors; possibly they are invalids, who 

 go there for treatment; if so, they are fortunate in having 

 mineral springs so easy of access. 



Woodcock have no choice as to the locality of their 

 feeding-grounds, if only the proper food may be found, 

 and in many a country village there are rich vegetable 

 gardens which furnish fine feasts to wise old woodcock, 

 who do not hesitate to take advantage of the dusk to 

 visit them, and whose only danger at such times is from 

 the telegraph wires or from the prowling house-cat. 



Often, when the feeding-ground is quite distant from 

 suitable covers, the birds may be' seen at dusk, rising 

 spirit-like from the deep gloom of the woods, and, darting 

 athwart the sky, dropping to the low, wet meadows, bogs, 

 and brook- sides beyond. 



They well know where to find the proper food, how to 

 get it when found, and the exact moment in which to 



