





CHAPTEK X. 



THE WOODCOCK. SCOLOPAX MINOR. 



" Hie in ! At that glad word away they dart, 

 And winding various ways, with careful speed, 

 Explore the cover. Hark ! that quest proclaims 

 The Woodcock's haunt." 



THE CLAIMS OF THE WOODCOCK. 



There is no Bird in the catalogue of the American Sports- 

 man that surpasses the Woodcock, whether we consider the 

 beauty of its plumage, its general contour, the richness anr" 

 delicacy of its meat, or the pleasure derived from shooting ii 

 Sportsmen eagerly pursue this interesting and noble Bird iu 

 every quarter where he makes his appearance, and experienc 

 more gratification in the display of a couple of Woodcocks 

 than they would in the triumphant exhibition of double or 

 treble the same number of Partridges, or any others of the 

 feathered tribe. There really seems to be something peculiarly 

 attractive to the true Sportsman in the very appearance of this 

 Bird ; for, how often do we observe him examine with delight 



