The American Woodcock 85 



strange and rather startling note, a loud, sharp, and some- 

 what nasal 'speat' or 'spueat,' which sounded as delivered 

 with a spiteful directness at some offensive object." At other 

 times the flight of the woodcock is slow. When flushed in the 

 woods, he rises to the height of the bushes or underwood, and 

 almost instantly drops behind them again at a short distance, 

 and as soon as he touches the ground runs off for several 

 yards. 



