WOODCOCK AND SNIPE 101 



uncertain locality, he asked me how I knew that. 

 I soon explained, and it ended in my going through 

 that cover with him ; after which we parted with 

 mutual satisfaction, in fact I was invited to come 

 again. 



These birds vary very much in size and in 

 plumage, males as well as females ; so does the bill, 

 both in length and in thickness. It is not the least 

 use looking at the bill of a stuffed Woodcock ; that 

 will give you but a faint idea of the exquisite 

 arrangement of encased nerves. The bird does not 

 see its food as a rule ; his bill probes for it, and the 

 sensitive tip discovers what he needs. If you wish 

 to see and examine it, you must do so after it has 

 dropped to the shot, or better still, look at a tame 

 Woodcock, for this beautifully mottled and pencilled 

 creature is frequently domesticated. One man 

 would have quite enough to do to provide worms 

 to satisfy a couple of birds. The gentle creature 

 has a fine appetite and a good digestion; after 

 getting down a cupful of worms, it will look at you 

 in the most gentle manner with its large dark eyes, 

 asking for more. This is the reason why they are 

 not seen in a domesticated state very often ; you 

 have to dig so hard for them at times to little pur- 

 pose. Some of my pets have cost me as much as 

 a small family of children would. 



That the Woodcocks were numerous up to recent 

 times in one vicinity our readers may imagine, for 

 every little round-frocked leather-gaitered lad living 

 near their haunts " tealed " for them, springed in 



