AMERICAN WOODCOCK. 479 



Now and then, the American Woodcock, after being pursued for a 

 considerable time, throws itself into the centre of large miry places, where 

 it is very difficult for either man or dog to approach it ; and indeed if 

 you succeed, it will not rise unless you almost tread upon it. In such 

 cases I have seen dogs point at them, when they were only a few inches 

 distant, and after several minutes seize upon them. When in clear woods, 

 such as pine barrens, the Woodcock on being put up flies at times to a 

 considerable distance, and then performs a circuit and alights not far 

 from you. It is extremely attached to particular spots, to which it re- 

 turns after being disturbed. 



Its flight is performed by constant rather rapid beats of the Avings, 

 and while migrating it passes along with great speed. I am inclined to 

 think its flight is greatly protracted, on account of the early periods at 

 which it reaches Maine and New Brunswick : — I may be wrong, but I 

 am of opinion that at such times it flics faster than our little Partridge. 

 In proceeding, it inclines irregularly to the right and left at the end of 

 every few yards ; but when it has been put up after having settled for a 

 while, it rises as if not caring about you, and at a slow pace goes a few 

 yards and alights again, runs a few steps and squats to await your depart- 

 ure. It is less addicted to wading through the water than the Snipe, 

 and never searches for food in salt marshes or brackish places. Rivulets 

 that run through thickets, and of which the margins are muddy or com- 

 posed of oozy ground, are mostly preferred by it ; but, as I have already 

 said, its place of abode depends upon the state of the weather and the de- 

 gree of temperature. 



The food of the Woodcock consists principally of large earth-worms, 

 of which it swallows as many in the course of a night as would equal its 

 own weight ; but its power of digestion is as great as that of the Herons, 

 and it is not very often that on opening one you find entire worms in its 

 stomach. It obtains its food by perforating the damp earth or mire, and 

 also by turning the dead leaves in the woods, and picking up the worms 

 t!iat lie beneath them. In captivity, Woodcocks very soon accustom 

 themselves to feed on moistened corn meal, bits of cheese, and vermicelli 

 soaked in water. I have seen some that became so gentle as to allow their 

 owner to caress them with the hand. On watching several individuals 

 probing mud in which a number of earthworms had been introduced, in 

 a tub placed in a room partially darkened, I observed the birds plunge 

 their bills up to the nostrils, but never deeper ; and from the motion of 



