WADERS 213 



the beak, however, for another purpose, pushing it up to its base into 

 the soft soil, and either pulling out worms with it or frightening them 

 out of the earth by the concussion. The beak has a highly peculiar 

 structure, corresponding to this peculiar mode of use. Being very long 

 and thin, it can be pushed deep into the soil without difficulty, and the 

 horny tip of the upper mandible envelops the edges of the tip of the 

 lower, so that vegetable fibres cannot get between the two mandibles, 

 and thus obstruct the boring action of the beak. Apart from the horny 

 tip, the beak is comparatively soft ; consequently, the upper mandible 

 can be so bent as to form, with the lower, forceps for drawing out the prey. 

 Hard ridges of horn, three on the upper, four on the lower mandible, 

 give the firmness necessary for the boring function, and numerous tactile 

 corpuscles over the tip of the bill enable it to be used in the same fashion 

 as the probe with which the physician explores a wound. In fact, the 

 beak of this bird is one of the small miracles of Nature. While probing 

 with its beak the woodcock is, nevertheless, able to keep a lookout for 

 what goes on around it, for the eyes are large (nocturnal animal), and 

 are placed remarkably high up in the head. On account of this boring 

 habit, the bird exclusively frequents woods where the soil is soft and 

 loose. There are no membranes between the toes, the posterior of which 

 (hallux) is small, and articulated at a higher level than the other two. 

 (Compare with stork.) 



Allied Species. 



The Common Snipe (Gallinago media), like its relative the woodcock, 

 is much pursued on account of its delicate flesh. It inhabits marshy 

 localities. The male at the beginning of the pairing season gives 

 utterance to a peculiar sound, which bears a striking resemblance to the 

 " bleating" of a goat, and in Germany has gained the bird the title of 

 " sky goat " (Himmelsziege). 



A very peculiar member of this family is the Ruff (Machetes pugnax), 

 which inhabits damp lowlands, and especially the seashore. Its plumage 

 is inconspicuous, and resembles that of the soil. After the spring 

 moult the male acquires a peculiar collar or ruff, consisting of large, 

 strong feathers, and serving as a shield in the contests which the bird 

 engages in with other males of its species. Little blood, however, 

 is shed at these encounters, the beak being soft, and the face covered 

 with warty excrescences. In the autumn the ruff and facial warts 

 disappear again, and the male now completely resembles the more 

 peaceful female. 



