The Woodcock 237 



March, taking up its abode in boggy and swampy 

 places surrounded by bushes. Being a nocturnal 

 bird it remains in concealment during the day, coming 

 forth towards evening in search of food, which it 

 obtains by boring into the soft soil for larvae and 

 worms, or by turning over the dead leaves in search 

 of insects. The sensibility in the extremity of the bill 

 is developed to a most remarkable degree; in fact, 

 in obtaining its food the eyes of the bird are used 

 scarcely at aU. 



During the season of courtship in April the male 

 indulges in a curious performance; this performance 

 takes place occasionally in the morning, but more 

 particularly in the evening, and consists of a spiral 

 flight very similar to that of the lark. While the 

 woodcock is ascending a feeble note is heard, but 

 when descending the volume of the tone increases, 

 and as he approaches the ground it assumes the 

 character of a song; when he reaches the ground 

 the song ceases, the bird giving utterance to a few 

 deep guttural notes, not at all in keeping with the 

 dehghtful aerial serenade. This performance is 

 repeated several times during the evening. 



The nest is located on the ground near a swamp, 

 though occasionally I have found one in a dry wood- 

 land. Unhke most birds the woodcock spends very 



