WOODCOCK. 105 



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 colour, 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 

 has, in several instances that have come to my knowledge, been 

 found with eggs in February; but its usual time of beginning to 

 lay is early in April. In July, August and September, they are 

 considered in good order for shooting. 



The Woodcock is properly a nocturnal bird, feeding chiefly 

 at night, and seldom stirring about till after sunset. At such 

 times, as well as in the early part ot the morning, particularly 

 in spring, he rises by a kind of spiral course, to a considerable 

 height in the air, uttering at times a sudden quack, till having 

 gained his utmost height, he hovers around in a wild irregu- 

 lar manner, making a sort of murmuring sound; then descends 

 with rapidity as he rose. When uttering his common note on 

 the ground, he seems to do it with difficulty, throwing his head 

 towards the earth, and frequently jetting up his tail. These 

 notes and manoeuvres are most usual in spring, and are the call 

 of the male to his favourite female. Their food consists of va- 

 rious Iarva3, and other aquatic worms, for which, during the 

 evening, they are almost continually turning over the leaves 

 with their bill, or searching in the bogs. Their flesh is reckoned 

 delicious, and prized highly. They remain with us till late in 

 autumn; and on the falling of the first snows, descend from the 

 ranges of the Alleghany, to the lower parts of the country, in 

 great numbers; soon after which, viz. in November, they move 

 off to the south. 



This bird, in its general figure and manners, greatly resem- 

 bles the Woodcock of Europe, but is considerably less, and very 

 differently marked below, being an entirely distinct species. 

 A few traits will clearly point out their differences. The lower 

 parts of the European Woodcock are thickly barred with dusky 

 waved lines, on a yellowish white ground. The present species 

 has those parts of a bright ferruginous, The male of the Ame- 



VOL. in. P 



