158 lewis' AMERICAN SPORTSMAN. 



markets, that seemed to us remarkably fine specimens, and 

 perhaps above the usual standard in point of size, but have 

 generally been disappointed in the results ; for they have seldom 

 reached eight ounces. A seven-ounce Bird makes a fine show, 

 and must be full grown, and in good condition, to weigh that 

 much. We shot a very fine Cock this season that weighed over 

 ten ounces, and it now adorns our cabinet.* 



The plumage of these two varieties is also considerably 

 different, and the flesh of the American Bird is pronounced 

 superior in richness and juiciness to the English. 



ONE SPECIES ONLY. 



Many of our Sporting friends believe that there are two 

 species of Woodcocks, indigenous to America, a large and a 

 small variety. This, however, is not the case, but an error, and 

 a very natural one, arising from the great disparity in the re- 

 spective sizes of the male and female Bird. The latter, strange 

 to say, is much the largest, and not unfrequently weighs two, 

 three, and even four ounces more than the male Bird. 



HABITS OF WOODCOCKS. 



The habits of Woodcocks are very interesting, and in some 

 measure mysterious. They are a migratory Bird, and extend 

 their journeyings as far north as the Canadas, and as far south 

 as Florida. 



They breed and rear their young throughout the Middle and 

 Northern States, and at the approach of winter move off to the 

 far South, in quest of the rich and loamy soil of those tempe- 

 rate climes. Notwithstanding the greater mass of these Birds 

 migrate south, there is but little doubt that numbers of them 

 remain in Pennsylvania, Jersey, and Delaware, during the 

 whole winter through, as it is no unusual circumstance to shoot 



* Our friend, G. D. Wetherill, Esq., informed us, a few days since, that a gen- 

 tleman sent him, a year or two ago, a Woodcock that weiglied fourteen ounces, 

 which was shot in New Jersey, and it was his intention to have had it stuffed, 

 but, owing to the negligence of the party who brought the Bird, it was too far 

 gone before he received it. 



