NATURAI. HISTORY SKETCHES 327 



the bird before the alligator, which he did, and threw 

 the bird over his shoulder, the alligator following ; and 

 as he reached the bank the alligator struck his legs, but 

 did him no damage. I have made this paper too long, 

 and can recommend for real comfort such a cruise. 

 Such a steamer, after going up the St. Johns river could 

 be taken around to St. Augustine, and so down to Indian 

 river, and the expense less than to live at the hotels. 



The Woodcock's Whistle 



I have been much interested in all your woodcock bird 

 whistle papers, and as my experience has extended over 

 more than half a century of woodcock shooting (and 

 many seasons' shooting I have bagged from 100 to 150 

 birds) and the bird always interesting me, I have spent 

 many pleasant hours in studying its habits in spring as 

 well as in fall and summer shooting, I want you to put 

 down my vote to the wing theory. 



I know the bird has a little mouth talk, or note, which 

 I have often heard when the birds were mating and 

 strutting on the ground in the spring, and the same note 

 I have heard often from the old bird when I have been 

 catching the young chicks ; but the sound or note is not 

 the same as the whistle of the continuous-flying, fuU- 

 plumaged bird, and I have so often had the slightly 

 wounded bird in my hand, and held by the bill or feet, 

 make, as I am sure, the same whistling with his wings, 

 that I cannot be mistaken ; and the bird when not in 

 plumage, held the same way, does not make the whistle. 

 I know we do not all hear, see or think alike ; but any 

 person who will take a full-plumaged woodcock that is 

 lively, hold it by the bill or feet and let it have full use of 



