AMERICAN WOODCOCK 



Front of head slate color tinged with buff; back of head 

 black; remaining upper parts black mottled with reddish- 

 yellow ; under parts mixed red and yellow ; neck short ; bill five 

 inches long. Length, eleven inches. 



Nest, made of leaves on the ground in the woods. Eggs, 

 four, pale buff with brown spots, 1.60 x 1.25 inches. The 

 Woodcock is an uncommon bird in form. It has a bulky body, 

 a long bill, a stumpy tail, short legs and wings, thick head and 

 large black eyes so placed that it can look upward or backward 

 as well as forward. This power of vision is much needed by 

 this bird, for no other game bird has been so mercilessly hunted 

 as this one. With dog and gun the sportsman has sought it 

 everywhere. It is now protected by law during most of the 

 year. 



Low, swampy woodlands are its usual home, though in 

 autumn it frequents cornfields and pastures near woods. Here 

 the hunter finds it during the brief open season. When startled 

 from its haunts, it rises but a few feet from the ground and 

 flies only a short distance. After alighting it runs forward 

 for a few rods, hoping to mislead the pursuer. When flushed 

 hear her nest or young, the mother pretends lameness or a 

 broken wing to draw the trespasser away from her possessions. 

 . During the day the Woodcock keeps to the woods or 

 thickets, but with the approach of night it comes out to seek 

 food. Now the use for the long, sharp bill is seen. Boring 

 into the damp ground with it, this bird finds and eats great 

 numbers of earthworms. The "borings" or holes made in 

 this way are sure signs to the hunter that the bird is near. The 



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