oe OUR FRIENDS, THE BIRDS. 
food. They run so fast that one cannot help laughing 
at their haste. They also fly with great swiftness. 
Their shrill cry of ‘Kil-deer, kil-deer’ is almost start- 
ling when they utter it as they suddenly take wing. 
“They migrate to great distances, and are among 
the earliest of spring travelers. The young are able to 
run about and leave the nest almost as soon as hatched. 
Another shore-bird nearly related to the Kildeer is 
THE WOODCOCK. 
“Tt differs from the Plover in havinga longer bill, and 
the eye placed far back and high up, with the ear below. 
“Dr. Coues says: ‘If the brain be examined, it 
will be found curiously tilted over so that its anatomi- 
cal base looks forward.’ Again, he says, ‘They are 
knowing birds, if their brains are upset, and their suc- 
cessful pursuit calls into action all the better qualities 
of a true sportsman.’ 
‘““My only experience in hunting Woodcock was 
quite successful. Finding one in my garden one morn- 
ing among the corn, I simply walked after it and 
picked it up. It resented being caged by thrusting its 
long bill through the wires until it made its head 
bleed. This seemed cruel, so it was taken back to its 
‘native heath’ and released. 
‘One peculiarity of the Woodcock is its habit of 
carrying its young from place to place in its feet. It 
is nocturnal in its habits, remaining concealed during 
the day and coming out at twilight to find food. 
