98 SCOLOPAX MINOR, 



SUBGENCS III. RVBZCOLJ, VIEILL. 

 233. 8COLOPAX HINOX, GMELIK AND WII.SONV 



AMERICAN WOODCOCK. 

 WILSON, PLATE XtVIII. TIG. II. 



THIS bird, like the rail, is universally known to 

 our sportsmen. It arrives in Pennsylvania early la 

 March, sometimes sooner ; and I doubt not but in 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 favourite 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 snooting ; 

 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 

 *?ach 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 colour, thickly 

 marked with spots of brown, particularly at the great 



