tot T H E C R A N E K I N 0. 



head, and looks around him, to fee that all is fafe, before he thrufts hi* 

 bill into the earth. It is fufpefted, that though this bird's eyes be large, 

 he fees beft by twilight, his movements being by much the brifkcft 

 morning and evening j even thofe kept in a room, though quiet during 

 the day and night, yet regularly took flights morning and evening. At 

 full moon is very vigilant ; feeds on worms ; does not fcratch the 

 earth with its feet, but turns leaves, earth, &c. with its bill, brilkly 

 to right and left ; is thought to feek its food by fmelling. In fize, equals 

 the partridge. Dogs never eat woodcocks ; probably difliking their fcent. 

 The young run very foon : the old ones have been feen to carry a young 

 one when purfued : the male never quits the female, while the young are 

 with her j is filent except in breeding-time. Sits with the female, and 

 both feem to enjoy laying their bills on each other*s back. The fpecies 

 is greatly fpread. There is a white woodcock. 



THE SNIPE 



GREATLY refembles the woodcock in appearance; and indeed 

 might almoft, without impropriety, be called the Little Woodcock : 

 but the fnipe does not frequent woods, but is confined to marfhes, and 

 watery plalhcs : flies fo high as to be invifible, yet is heard ; having a 

 little cry like a kid, mee^ mee, mee : never refides on mountains : is of 

 palTage ; comes in winter, goes away in fpring. The fnipe is continually 

 piercing the earth, yet nothing is found in his ftomach but earthy 

 re/iduum and liquid ; probably the fubftance of the worms it eats is thus 

 melted. The tip of its tongue' is fharp, to pierce fuch prey. Hides itfelf 

 carefully among reeds by day. The fpecies greatly fpread throughout 

 the world. 



The Jack-snipe is but half the fize of the former : is called by fome 

 deaf; for it hides clofely among reeds, and never ftirs till almofl: trod up- 

 on, as if it heard nothing of its purfucr. Is lefs of paflTage than the 

 former. 



The Dunlin differs a little in plumage, but nothing in manners. 



THE 



