236 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 



given rise to the erroneous impression that they go in 

 flocks ; but during many years' experience I never saw over 

 two or three on the wing at the same time, and then it 

 occurred through the birds having paired, or two or more 

 being flushed from a favourite haunt. From what I can 

 learn, I am led to believe that Nova Scotia, New Bruns- 

 wick, and Maine are their principal breeding-places, 

 although annually numbers take up their temporary 

 quarters in the middle States of the Union. I have even 

 heard of their nests being found in Georgia, North Caro- 

 lina, and Alabama; but these are only stragglers, and 

 unimportant, numerically, when you compare them with 

 those that are to be found in their more northern retreats. 



The nest of the woodcock is very primitive composed 

 of grasses and leaves, placed in some secluded spot near 

 the root of a bush, or under the shelter of a fallen log. 

 They commence to lay early in April in the State of New 

 York, and sooner or later as they happen to be further 

 south or north ; four eggs are the usual number, although 

 occasionally five may be found. These are about the size 

 of the domestic pigeon's, smooth, of a yellow clay colour, 

 and prettily marked with irregular patches of puce or 

 brown. The young, as soon as hatched, run about like the 

 plover, snipe, and the majority of waders, and at the age of 

 four weeks are able to fly. The mother bird, during the 

 infancy of her progeny, is a most attached and solicitous 

 parent, frequently permitting herself to be captured rather 

 than desert her offspring. What a beautiful example the 

 human family may frequently learn from the insignificant 

 inferior animals ! 



