Plate LX. 



Fig. 9. PHILOHELA MINOR- American Woodcock. 



This splendid bird comes from the south with the first approach of spring, and remains until the 

 frosts harden its feeding grounds. In the northern counties it is absent but a few months in the 

 coldest years; while farther south, in mild winters, it soai'cely goes out of the State. 



It builds in March or April, and probably, sometimes in February. Two broods are usually reared 

 during the season. 



LOCALITY: 



Upon their arrival in spring, Woodcock frequent wooded slopes, and damp, dense woods, either 

 upland or lowland; and in such localities they find suitable nesting sites. 



POSITION: 



The nest is situated upon the ground at the root of a tree or stump, beside a log, or even in an 

 entirely open space between large trees. The nest rests directly upon the ground, sod, or decayed leaves 

 natural to the spot, with no effort at concealment. 



MATERIALS: 



It is composed chiefly of dead leaves, as found fallen from trees in the vicinity, and is a very 

 insignificant affair, yet one which answers the purpose well, as it resembles exactly the surroundings, in 

 fact, is part of them; and since the young, like Quail, run about as soon as hatched, an elaborate structure 

 is not necessary for their comfort. The quantity of leaves in the nest is quite variable. If the sod is 

 well covered with them the bird may simply select a matted bunch, and upon this deposit her eggs. 

 At other times she will arrange a hatful of oak or other leaves in a little depression, and rest satisfied 

 with this. There are no outlines to the structure which are of any value for measurements. 



EGGS: 



Four eggs are the usual number in a set. I have never found more than this, but I have seen an 

 old bird with five young ones. As is usual, the second set probably contains one less than the first. 

 The ground-color of the shell is brown, of different shades in different sets. In some it is light 

 Vandyke brown; in others it is a moderately dark tint of the same color; in others it is a light shade 

 of bistre; while in others it is a yellowish-brown, such as may be formed with bistre and yellow ochre. 

 The markings consist of numerous blotches, spots, and speckles, often confluent, distributed most numerously 

 about the larger end. The deep shell-marks appear purplish or neutral tint, while the surface marks 

 are of various shades of the ground-color, always of course deeper in tint. When placed upon a bed of 

 winter-beaten oak leaves, the colors of the eggs and leaves are so similar that I know of no eggs which 



239 



