THE AMERICAN WOODCOCK. 577 



the same place every morning, and be hunted up and down all day without going out of the 

 grounds. 



The plumage of the Jack Snipe is very like that of the common species, but may be at 

 once distinguished by the absence of the pale brown streak over the top of the head. 



Three more species of Snipe are known in Europe, but are very scarce. One is the 

 Sabine's Snipe {OaZUndgo sabinii), notable for the total absence of white upon its plumage ; 

 the second is the Brown, or Red-breasted Snipe {Gallindgo grisea), properly an American 

 bird, and distinguishable by the ruddy breast and the streak of white from the bill to the eye ; 

 and the third is rather a dubious species, known by the name of Brehm's Snipe {Gallindgo 

 brehinii). 



The Woodcock is nearly as well known, though not so plentiful as the snipe, to which 

 bird it bears a considerable resemblance in form, plumage, and many habits. 



Generally, it is only a winter visitor to northern countries, arriving about October, and 

 leaving in March or April. Sometimes, however, it will breed in northern regions, and there 

 remain throughout the summer. During their migration the Woodcocks fly at a great alti- 

 tude, and descend almost perpendicularly upon the spot where they intend to rest. They fly 

 in companies of varying numbers, and prefer hazy and calm weather for their journey. 



The general color of the Woodcock is brown of several shades, pale wood-brown upon the 

 cheeks, rich dark brown upon the back, mottled with a lighter line ; throat, breast, and abdo- 

 men, wood-brown barred with dark brown. The tail is black above, tipped with gray. The 

 average length is about fourteen inches, but the weight is extremely variable. An ordinarily 

 good bird weighs about thirteen ounces, but a very fine specimen will weigh fourteen or fifteen 

 ounces, and there are examples of Woodcocks weighing twenty-six and twenty-seven ounces. 



The American Woodcock {PhiloJieJa minor) is not only distinct as a species from the 

 European, but is properly generically distinct. The European bird is occasionally shot by our 

 market gunners. It is readily distinguished by its larger size and lighter-colored plumage. 

 Dr. Coues says of the American Woodcock: " The restriction of the range of the Woodcock 

 is a singular circumstance in the history of a family of birds noted for their dispersion and 

 extensive migrations. It is only known to inhabit the United States and immediately 

 adjoining portions of the British possessions, while in the West its extension is equally 

 limited." 



The fact that this bird's nest and eggs are so seldom seen is a singular one, considering 

 the thousands of acute observers and sportsmen who habitually handle the bird, and see it 

 in its native haunts ; yet the bird breeds in greater or less abundance over nearly all its range, 

 and especially in the Middle and Eastern States. 



The Woodcock is an early layer, beginning in March, and in the South in February. 



"At the breeding season," says Audubon, "its curious, spiral gyrations, while ascending 

 or descending along a space of fifty or more yards of height, when it utters a note somewhat 

 resembling the word JcwanTc, are performed every evening and morning for nearly a fortnight. 

 When on the ground at this season, as well as in autumn, the male not unfrequently repeats 

 this sound, as if he were calling to others in his neighborhood, and on hearing it answered he 

 immediately flies to meet the other bird, winch in the same manner advances toward him. On 

 observing the Woodcock in the act of emitting these notes, you would imagine he exerted 

 himself to the utmost to produce them, the head and bill being inclined toward the ground, 

 and a strong forward movement of the body taking place at the moment the Tcwank reaches 

 your ear. This over, the bird jerks its half-spread tail, then erects itself, and stands as if 

 listening for a moment, when, if the cry is not answered, it repeats it." Audubon thought 

 this was the cry to attract the female, yet he noticed it sometimes brought forth a rival male. 



Though the Woodcock is generally regarded as an inhabitant of boggy swamps, yet it 

 frequents corn-fields, and other cultivated portions of country. If the season is not very 

 severe, a few birds linger during the winter, but usually they are ready to migrate south- 

 vol. n.-ra. 



