SPECIES 2. SCO LOP AX MINOR. 



WOODCOCK. 

 [Plate XLVIII. Fig. 2.] 



Arct. Zool. p. 463, JVo. 365. TURT. Syst. 396.* 



THIS bird, like the preceding,! is universally known to our 

 sportsmen. It arrives in Pennsylvania early in March, some- 

 times sooner; and I doubt not but in mild winters some few re- 

 main 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 be- 

 ginning of July, particularly in long continued hot weather, 

 they descend to the marshy shores of our large rivers, their fa- 

 vourite springs and watery 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 call- 

 ed, viz. deep mire, intersected with old logs, which are cover- 

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

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

 men, 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 



* Scolopax minor, LATH. Ind. Orn. p. 714, No. 2. Gen. Sijn. 3, p. 131. 

 fThat is, the common Rail, which precedes the Woodcock in the original edi- 





