Till: ll///,7'.|\ \\<ntln'tn'K. 

 tin- same place every morning, ami IN- hunted up ami down idl day without going out ,,f the 



Tin- plumage <>f tin- .lark Sni|*' is very like that of the common species. but ma\ 

 in-.- distinguished by the absence of tin- ile brown streak over tin- t>p .f the head. 



Tiu:i i in. -ii|H. m-,. known iu Europe, bat are very scarce. One is the 



SA IIINK - > SNIPI. dinllin&go fa' "table fi.r the tuial absence of white ii|.ii it.s plumage; 



Hi.' sec,,n.| i- tli.- Bi:ou N. ..i Ki I.-KKEASTKD SNIPK (Gallinago (frisea), pr>]-il\ :m Am. rican 

 hinl. ami .li-tiiijiiMiabl.- by (In- ruddy breast and tin- streak <>f white from tli,- Mil to the eye; 

 ami tin- thin! is rather a dubious sjK-cies, known by the name of UKKIIM'S SNIPK ((iallindffo 



Tin: WOOJH o< K is nearly as well known, though not so plentiful as the siii|>e, to which 

 liinl it ttean a considerable resemblance in form, plumage, and many habits. 



i.'iierally, it is onh a "inter visitor to northern countries, aiming about Octoln-r, and 

 leaving in March or April. Sometimes, howev.-r. it will breed in northern regions. : md there 

 remain throughout the .summer. Ouring their migration the Woodcsicks fly at a great alti- 

 tude. an I descend almost j-r]>cndicularly upon the sjH>t whi-n- they intend to rest. They fly 

 in companies of \ar\iiii; numbers, and prefer ha/y and calm weather for their journey. 



The ireiier.il color of the Woodcock \s brown of several shades, pale wiNMl-lni>\Mi ujton the 

 . -h.-eks. rich djirk brown upon the hack, mottled with a lighter hue ; thrtKit. Im-ast, and ulxlo- 

 in.-n. w.NHl-brown Iwrrwl with dark brown. The tail Is blm-k aliovc. tipiM-<l with gniy. The 

 average length is about fourt4n inches. l>ut the weight i> extremely variable. An ordinarily 

 1 bird weighs about thirteen ounces, l,ut a very fine specimen \\ ill weigh fourteen or fifteen 

 ounces, and there are examples of Woodcocks weighing twenty-six and twenty-seven ounces. 



Tin: AMKKK AN \Y K (Philohrla minor) is not only distinct as a species from the 



F.iiropean, but is properly generically distinct. The European bird is occasionally shot by our 

 market gunners. It is readily distinguished by its larger si/- and lighter-colored plumage. 

 ! -ays of the American Woodcock : " The restriction of the range of the Woodc<x-k 



is a singular circumstance in tlie history of a family of birds notd for their dis|>eivion and 

 extensive migrations. It is only known to inhabit the United States and immediately 

 adjoining portions of the British possessions, while in the West its extension is equally 

 limited." 



The fact that this bird's nest and eggs are so seldom seen is a singular one, considering 

 the thousands of acute observers and sportamen who habitually handle the bird, and see it 

 in its native haunts : \,-t the bird breeds in greater or less abundance over nearly all its range, 

 ami esja-cially in the Middle and Eastern States. 



The Woodcock is an early layer, beginning in March, and in the South in February. 



"At the breeding season," says Audubon, k its curious, spiral gyrations, while ascending 

 or descending along a space of fifty or more yards of height, when it utters a note somewhat 

 resembling the word kuxinA; are performed every evening and morning for nearly a fortnight. 

 When on the ground at this season, as well as in autumn, the male not (infrequently repeats 

 this sound, as if he were calling to others in his neighUirhood, and on hearing it answered be 

 immediately flies to meet the other bird, which in the same manner advances toward him. On 

 observing the Woodcock in the act of emitting tln-se notes, you would imagine he exerted 

 himself to the utmost to produce them, the head and bill being inclined toward the ground. 

 and a strong forward movement of the body taking place at the moment the kwank reaches 

 your ear. This over, the bird jerks its half-spread tail, then erects itself, and stands as if 

 listening for a moment, when, if the cry is not answered, it repeats it." Audubon thought 

 this was the cry to attract the female, yet he noticed it sometimes brought forth a rival male. 



Though the Woodcock is generally regarded as an inhabitant of boggy swamps, yet it 



jiients corn-fields, ami other cultivated ]Mrtins of country. If the season is not very 



severe, a few birds linger during the winter, but usually they are ready to migrate south- 



Vot. 11. 7S. 



