The Woodcock and Its Nest 221 



When I next returned, approaching quietly, I found the bird on the nest. 

 Setting up my camera, ready for a long time-exposure, I crept nearer; step by 

 step, until I was within a yard of the nest. I took one picture as she faced me, 

 as still as the sodden leaves on the ground. Then, backing out and approach- 

 ing from another direction, I secured a nice side view. A few weed stems were 

 in the way, from this position, and I tried to remove them. One, which almost 

 touched her at one end, was safely pulled away, but as my hand grasped 

 another, within two inches of the bird, her nerves gave way. She sprang into 

 the air, and went off, fluttering down to the ground only a few yards away. 

 When I returned, after twenty minutes, she was on again, as steady as ever. 



"STILL AS THE 



LEAVES ON THE GROUND" 



Young Woodcocks leave the nest very soon after they are hatched, and I 

 was not able to see the young from this particular nest, who emerged from their 

 shells about May 1. Several years ago, however, I came upon a Woodcock's 

 nest, just after the emergence of the young. And of all the cunning little balls 

 of fluff you ever saw! Their long, stout bills made them look top-heavy, and 

 their yellow-brown down was mottled with darker brown above in the 

 daintiest way imaginable. When I looked away for a moment at the flutter- 

 ing, frightened mother, I had hard work to make them out again, as they 

 crouched low in the nest hollow. 



So, here's to friend Woodcock! May he nest with us in ever-increasing 

 numbers, and may only his friends succeed in rinding his home! 



