66 



SHORE BIRDS. 



C, b, 1.1-6. 



with a rocking motion on extended wings, uttering a rather 

 subdued, liquid whistle. Alight- Fig. 58. 



ing, this performance is repeated, 

 often a number of times during 

 an evening. To hear this song 

 the observer should station him- 

 self shortly after sunset at a point 

 near enough to a known spot 

 where a woodcock performs to 

 hear the opening bleats, but not 

 near enough to disturb the bird 

 when he comes from the swamp. 

 Just as soon as the bird rises to 

 begin the upward flight walk very 

 swiftly forward, taking care to drop flat on the ground as the 

 bird approaches the earth ; thus by exercising caution and 

 keeping perfect silence, it is possible to approach wittiin a 

 few yards and witness the bird's behavior when on the 

 ground. Alder swamps are favorite resorts of the woodcock 

 and in them it may be found in early spring, at which time 

 it is not especially shy. Breeds throughout Eastern N. A. 

 from the British Provinces, south to Fla., in March and April, 

 placing its nest in woodlands near swamps; winters in the 

 Southern States, goes south in Oct. and Nov. ; comes north 

 in late Feb. and Mar. Quite common, but far less so than 

 in former years, fig. 58. 



b. Broad-quilled Woodcocks. Scolopax. 



Larger, and differs otherwise in having the outer prima- 

 ry longer than the second and as broad as the others. 



1. EUROPEAN WOODCOCK, S. RUSTICOLA. Differs 

 from a, 1 in being larger (13.00) and in being distinctly band- 

 ed beneath. Northern parts of eastern hemisphere: occas- 

 ional in Eastern N. A. 



c. Snipes. Gallinago. 



More slender birds with longer necks that live in marshes 

 and are clad in browns and reddish-grays ; wings longer than 



