AMERICAN OENITHOLOOY. 



85 



alwaj/S the case, he is accompanied by a dog. Even if the first shot is 

 a miss, he knows that the bird will fly but a short distance before seek- 

 ing cover again, and he knows that the acute sense of smell possessed 

 by his four footed companion can soon locate it again. 



As a general thing Woodcock may be considered as partially noctur- 

 nal in their habits. They prefer to remain in quiet concealment during 

 the day, and venture out at dusk in their search for food. The bright 

 sunlight seems to be too light for their eyes and they are a great deal 

 more active during cloudy weather. Their migrations are performed 

 almost wholly by night and when on these journeys they generally fly 

 at quite an elevation. When passing over cities, they appear to be at- 

 tracted by the lights and fly lower; as a result, it has been my experi- 

 ence that more of these birds are killed or maimed by flying into wires 



EGGS OF AMERICAN WOODCOCK. 



than of any other bird. They are not very sociable, and two or three 

 individuals are generally all that are found in one place. After the 

 nesting season is over they remain in the same locality until cold 

 weather renders the obtaining of food a difficult and uncertain propo- 



