THE WOODCOCK. 



PLATE XLIV. THE WOODCOCK. 



THIS bird is universally known to our sportsmen. It 

 arrives in Pennsylvania early in March, sometimes sooner; 

 and I doubt not but^n mild winters some few remain with 

 us the whole of that season. During the day, they keep to 

 the woods and thickets, and at the approach of evening 

 seek the springs, and open watery places to feed in. They 

 soon disperse themselves over the country to breed. 

 About the beginning of July, particularly in long-continued 

 hot weather, they descend to the marshy shores of our large 

 rivers, their favorite springs and water recesses, inland, 

 being chiefly dried up. To the former of these retreats 

 they are pursued by the merciless sportsman, flushed by 

 dogs, and shot down in great numbers. This species of 

 amusement, when eagerly followed, is still more laborious 

 and fatiguing than that of Snipe-shooting ; and from the 

 nature of the ground, or cripple as it is usually called, viz : 

 deep mire, intersected with old logs, which are covered 

 and hid from sight by high reeds, weeds, and alder bushes, 

 the best dogs are soon tired out ; and it is customary with 

 sportsmen, who regularly pursue this diversion, to have 

 two sets of dogs, to relieve each other alternately. 



The Woodcock usually begins to lay in April. The nest 

 is placed on the ground, in a retired part of the woods, 

 frequently at the root of an old stump. It is formed of a 

 few withered leaves, and stalks of grass, laid with very 

 little art. The female lays four, sometimes five eggs, 

 about an inch and a half long, and an inch or rather more 

 in diameter, tapering suddenly to the small end. These 

 are of a dun clay color, thickly . marked with spots of 

 brown, particularly at the great end, and interspersed with 

 others of a very pale purple. The nest of the Woodcock 



