168 lewis' AMERICAN SPORTSMAN. 



Shooters. And when changed, we would also impress upon 

 him the necessity of seeing it duly enforced. 



THE INGENUITY TO CONCEAL HER YOUNG. 



The Hen "Woodcock, like the Partridge, exhibits great inge- 

 nuity in her efforts to conceal her young, and to draw ofi* the 

 Sportsman or his Dog from the spot occupied by her nest, or 

 perhaps little brood. She flutters along the ground dragging 

 her body heavily after her, as if wounded and incapable of flight, 

 until the Dog is nearly on her, when she makes off again to a 

 short distance, and repeats the same manoeuvres over as before. 

 When she has succeeded in enticing her pursuers a considerable 

 distance from the starting-point, she suddenly takes wing, greatly 

 to the surprise of all, and flies off in beautiful style, and in a 

 very short time returns by a circuitous route to the spot where 

 she abandoned her offspring. 



WHERE TO FIND COCKS. 



"Startled by the report, a Woodcock springs 

 From the low marsh, flitting with nimble wings ; 

 In vain he flies ; he feels the fatal lead, 

 Curves flapping down, and falls with pinions spread." 



These Birds, as before observed, delight in a wet loamy soil, 

 and are seldom or never found in the upland districts, but most 

 frequently locate themselves along the marshy willow and alder 

 borders and extensive flats of our rivers. They also secrete 



