OF NATURAL HISTORY OF CANADA 



21 



WOODCOCK (Philohela minor) 



The woodcock, another member of the royal family among 

 game birds, is practically the exclusive property of the American 

 people to deal with as they list. It is true that a greater or lesser 

 number of woodcock cross our northern frontier to breed, but the 

 bulk of the species never leave our own borders. As a requisite 

 to its presence the woodcock requires soft, moist earth in which 

 to probe for earthworms, and its range may be said to be largely 

 determined by the presence or absence of its favorite food. Study 

 him at what season you will, meet him whei*e you may, the wood- 

 cock is always an interesting bird. His spring-flight song, given 

 as the" hours of darkness approach — for the woodcock is chiefly of 

 nocturnal habits — is unique among the long-billed, long-legged 

 fraternity, and the many details connected with- his housekeeping 

 are well worth attention. And what music so sweet to the sports- 

 men's ears as the silver}- whistle of the woodcock's wings when the 

 bird, suddenly roused from his snug shelter beneath bush or 

 bracken, mounts upward through the silver birches! Nor is any 

 other prize among game birds dear to the sportmen's heart as this 

 many-hued denizen of swamp and hillside when brought to bag in 

 fair sportsmanlike fashion. All the more keenly then must sports- 

 man and bird lover regret the fact that the woodcock is passing. 

 While there is no present danger of extinction, spring and summer 

 woodcock-shooting should be abohshed as a crime against a fine 

 game bird and fair sportsmanship. 



(Henry W. Henshaw) 



Pale students, who consumes the night 

 With learned vigils till the light ; 

 Merchant, *vho toils in city street 

 Through all the sumnners fervid heat; 

 All ye tired sons of gold and gain. 

 Turn from your weary task of pain. 

 And haste to wood, and bay, and stream. 

 Where health, and joy, and sunshine beam. 



GEXIO SCOTT 



