THE AMEKICAN WOODCOCK. 



Scolopax Minor. 



THE American Woodcock, Scolopax minor, or, as it 

 has been subdistinguished by some naturalists, from the 

 peculiar form of its short, rounded wing, the fourth 

 and fifth quills of which are the longest, Microptera 

 Americana, is, as the latter title indicates, exclusively 

 confined to this hemisphere and continent. It is much 

 smaller than its European namesake, being very rarely 

 killed exceeding eight or nine ounces in weight, and 

 sixteen inches in extent from tip to tip of the expanded 

 wings ; whereas the European cock averages full twelve 

 ounces, being often found up to fifteen, and measures 

 twenty-five or twenty-six inches. 



In general appearance and color they, bear a consider- 

 able, affinity each to the other ; the upper plumage of 

 both being beautifully variegated, like the finest tortoise- 

 shell, with wavy black lines on a rich brown ground, 

 mottled in places with bright fawn color and ash-gray , 

 but the breast and belly of the American bird are of a 

 deep fulvous yellow, darkest on upper part and fading to 



