BIRDS OF THE UNITED STATES. 
139 
Plate XXIV. 
PHILOHELA MINOR, (Gmel.) Oray. 
American Woodcock. 
The Woodcock is somewhat restricted in its distribution. In this 
respect it differs from its numerous congeneric brethren, which have a wide 
dispersion. It is chiefly a denizen of the eastern parts of the United States, 
and of the British territory immediately adjacent thereto. Fort Rice, in 
North-western Dakota, according to Coues, and Kansas and Nebraska in 
the west, seem to be the limits of its range in those directions. Although 
notable for its scarcity in regions beyond the Mississippi, Iowa excepted, 
yet it abundantly compensates therefore as we advance eastward. In the 
Middle and Eastern States they are probably found in greater numbers 
than elsewhere. While the greater bulk pass north to breed, some abide 
in the South, and raise their happy little families, in spite of the ardor of 
the climate. 
Few species, if any, arrive earlier. It generally appears from the fifth 
to the tenth of March in New England and the Middle Atlantic States, 
although instances are known where birds have been observed as early as 
the twenty-fourth of February. These cases are, however, rare, and only 
happen, if at all, when the weather has been remarkably propitious for a 
lengthy spell. As a few of them have been known to remain all winter 
in Pennsylvania, and elsewhere, when the season has been fine, may not 
their emergence from sheltered localities, at such times, be construed by 
persons who are not cognizant of their presence, or of their occasional dis- 
position to permanence of residence, as but a case of recent arrival? In 
view of this latter habit, it would be difficult to prove that the visitor had 
just come from the South, unless it had been discerned in tramitu. 
